In recent years, the Minnesota Department of Health and Board of Animal Health have closely monitored an increase in tularemia cases in animals throughout the state, with a particular focus on cats. The epidemiologist Maria Bye explains that tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever,” can impact over 250 different animal species, but cats are the most commonly affected and experience the most severe symptoms. Symptoms in cats can include a high fever, extreme weakness, loss of appetite, the development of ulcers on the mouth or skin, and can often result in death.
However, it’s not just cats that are at risk for tularemia. Dogs can also become infected through bites from ticks or flies or by coming into contact with an infected animal. Additionally, humans can contract the disease through exposure to infected animals or insects. In 2023, there were 21 cases reported of animals with tularemia in Minnesota, and seven cases have already been reported in 2024.
Health officials warn that symptoms in humans can include fever, skin wounds or ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, chills, joint and muscle pain, and nausea. Symptoms usually appear three to five days after exposure but can manifest as quickly as the following day or up to 14 days after exposure. With an increase in animal cases of tularemia throughout the state
