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Confirmation of a case of tularemia in a rabbit
Press release
Create it07.04.2025
Last modified on 07.04.2025
On March 24, 2025, a rabbit was dropped off at the "Wëlldéier Drop-off" in Junglinster and died shortly after its arrival at the "Centre de soins pour la faune sauvage." During further laboratory tests at the Veterinary and Food Laboratory (LVA), the pathogen causing tularemia was officially confirmed in this rabbit on April 3, 2025.
Transmission
Tularemia is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which can also be transmitted to humans. The pathogen is found primarily in wild animals and can infect a wide variety of species. Hares are particularly susceptible, which is why the disease is also known as hare fever. Rabbits and rodents such as rats and mice, as well as wild ruminants and carnivores, can also become infected.
Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected animals or their carcasses. The preparation and consumption of undercooked meat containing the pathogen also poses a risk of infection. Transmission can also occur through the consumption of contaminated water, inhalation of contaminated dust, or the sting or bite of infected, blood-sucking insects or ticks.
Symptoms
In animals, the disease can be either mild or epidemic with high mortality. In rabbits, the disease usually takes an acute course and leads to death within a few days. Typical symptoms include shaggy fur, an unsteady gait, apathy, and a loss of natural shyness. In a chronic course, weakness, severe emaciation, and skin changes are the main symptoms. The clinical picture in humans is complex and depends on the portal of entry of the pathogen into the body. After a few days, flu-like symptoms with high fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache and body aches, diarrhea or vomiting can occur, and in cases of infection via the smallest skin wounds, even slow-healing ulcers.
Prevention
To prevent infection, unprotected contact with wild animals or their carcasses should be avoided. Disposable gloves and a respirator (FFP2/FFP3) should be worn when handling. Hare and rabbit meat should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Heat reliably kills the pathogen.
Since pets such as dogs and cats can also become ill and thus transmit the disease to humans, they should not have contact with hares and wild rabbits.
Material that has come into contact with potentially infected animals should be cleaned and disinfected to reduce the risk of transmission.
If you find sick rabbits, please contact the "Centre de soins pour la faune wildage" in Dudelange. Dead rabbits can be brought to the Veterinary and Food Laboratory for examination. Please contact the laboratory (LVA) in advance: (+352) 247-82544.
Press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture
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Confirmation of another case of tularemia in a rabbit
Press release
Create it16.04.2025
Last updated on 17.04.2025
After the pathogen causing tularemia was officially confirmed in a rabbit from Junglinster on April 3, 2025, another rabbit was brought to the Veterinary and Food Laboratory (LVA) for testing on April 14, 2025. It was found dead along a country road near the village of Wellenstein. This rabbit also tested positive for tularemia today, April 16, 2025.
Transmission
Tularemia is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which can also be transmitted to humans. The pathogen is found primarily in wild animals and can infect a wide variety of species. Hares are particularly susceptible, which is why the disease is also known as hare fever. Rabbits and rodents such as rats and mice, as well as wild ruminants and carnivores, can also become infected.
Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected animals or their carcasses. The preparation and consumption of undercooked meat containing the pathogen also poses a risk of infection. Transmission can also occur through the consumption of contaminated water, inhalation of contaminated dust, or the sting or bite of infected, blood-sucking insects or ticks.
Symptoms
In animals, the disease can be either mild or epidemic with high mortality. In rabbits, the disease usually takes an acute course and leads to death within a few days. Typical symptoms include shaggy fur, an unsteady gait, apathy, and a loss of natural shyness. In a chronic course, weakness, severe emaciation, and skin changes are the main symptoms. The clinical picture in humans is complex and depends on the portal of entry of the pathogen into the body. After a few days, flu-like symptoms with high fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache and body aches, diarrhea or vomiting can occur, and in cases of infection via the smallest skin wounds, even slow-healing ulcers.
Prevention
To prevent infection, unprotected contact with wild animals or their carcasses should be avoided. Disposable gloves and a respirator (FFP2/FFP3) should be worn when handling. Hare and rabbit meat should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Heat reliably kills the pathogen.
Since pets such as dogs and cats can also become ill and thus transmit the disease to humans, they should not have contact with hares and wild rabbits.
Material that has come into contact with potentially infected animals should be cleaned and disinfected to reduce the risk of transmission.
If you find sick rabbits, please contact the "Centre de soins pour la faune sauvage" in Dudelange.
Dead rabbits can be brought to the Veterinary and Food Laboratory (LVA) for testing. Please contact the laboratory in advance: +352 24782544.
Press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture
https://ma.gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites.gouvernement2024+de+actualites+toutes_a ctualites+communiques+2025+04-avril+16-bestatigung-tularamie-hasen.html
Confirmation of a case of tularemia in a rabbit
Press release
Create it07.04.2025
Last modified on 07.04.2025
On March 24, 2025, a rabbit was dropped off at the "Wëlldéier Drop-off" in Junglinster and died shortly after its arrival at the "Centre de soins pour la faune sauvage." During further laboratory tests at the Veterinary and Food Laboratory (LVA), the pathogen causing tularemia was officially confirmed in this rabbit on April 3, 2025.
Transmission
Tularemia is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which can also be transmitted to humans. The pathogen is found primarily in wild animals and can infect a wide variety of species. Hares are particularly susceptible, which is why the disease is also known as hare fever. Rabbits and rodents such as rats and mice, as well as wild ruminants and carnivores, can also become infected.
Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected animals or their carcasses. The preparation and consumption of undercooked meat containing the pathogen also poses a risk of infection. Transmission can also occur through the consumption of contaminated water, inhalation of contaminated dust, or the sting or bite of infected, blood-sucking insects or ticks.
Symptoms
In animals, the disease can be either mild or epidemic with high mortality. In rabbits, the disease usually takes an acute course and leads to death within a few days. Typical symptoms include shaggy fur, an unsteady gait, apathy, and a loss of natural shyness. In a chronic course, weakness, severe emaciation, and skin changes are the main symptoms. The clinical picture in humans is complex and depends on the portal of entry of the pathogen into the body. After a few days, flu-like symptoms with high fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache and body aches, diarrhea or vomiting can occur, and in cases of infection via the smallest skin wounds, even slow-healing ulcers.
Prevention
To prevent infection, unprotected contact with wild animals or their carcasses should be avoided. Disposable gloves and a respirator (FFP2/FFP3) should be worn when handling. Hare and rabbit meat should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Heat reliably kills the pathogen.
Since pets such as dogs and cats can also become ill and thus transmit the disease to humans, they should not have contact with hares and wild rabbits.
Material that has come into contact with potentially infected animals should be cleaned and disinfected to reduce the risk of transmission.
If you find sick rabbits, please contact the "Centre de soins pour la faune wildage" in Dudelange. Dead rabbits can be brought to the Veterinary and Food Laboratory for examination. Please contact the laboratory (LVA) in advance: (+352) 247-82544.
Press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture
------------------------------------------------
Confirmation of another case of tularemia in a rabbit
Press release
Create it16.04.2025
Last updated on 17.04.2025
After the pathogen causing tularemia was officially confirmed in a rabbit from Junglinster on April 3, 2025, another rabbit was brought to the Veterinary and Food Laboratory (LVA) for testing on April 14, 2025. It was found dead along a country road near the village of Wellenstein. This rabbit also tested positive for tularemia today, April 16, 2025.
Transmission
Tularemia is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which can also be transmitted to humans. The pathogen is found primarily in wild animals and can infect a wide variety of species. Hares are particularly susceptible, which is why the disease is also known as hare fever. Rabbits and rodents such as rats and mice, as well as wild ruminants and carnivores, can also become infected.
Transmission occurs through direct contact with infected animals or their carcasses. The preparation and consumption of undercooked meat containing the pathogen also poses a risk of infection. Transmission can also occur through the consumption of contaminated water, inhalation of contaminated dust, or the sting or bite of infected, blood-sucking insects or ticks.
Symptoms
In animals, the disease can be either mild or epidemic with high mortality. In rabbits, the disease usually takes an acute course and leads to death within a few days. Typical symptoms include shaggy fur, an unsteady gait, apathy, and a loss of natural shyness. In a chronic course, weakness, severe emaciation, and skin changes are the main symptoms. The clinical picture in humans is complex and depends on the portal of entry of the pathogen into the body. After a few days, flu-like symptoms with high fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache and body aches, diarrhea or vomiting can occur, and in cases of infection via the smallest skin wounds, even slow-healing ulcers.
Prevention
To prevent infection, unprotected contact with wild animals or their carcasses should be avoided. Disposable gloves and a respirator (FFP2/FFP3) should be worn when handling. Hare and rabbit meat should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Heat reliably kills the pathogen.
Since pets such as dogs and cats can also become ill and thus transmit the disease to humans, they should not have contact with hares and wild rabbits.
Material that has come into contact with potentially infected animals should be cleaned and disinfected to reduce the risk of transmission.
If you find sick rabbits, please contact the "Centre de soins pour la faune sauvage" in Dudelange.
Dead rabbits can be brought to the Veterinary and Food Laboratory (LVA) for testing. Please contact the laboratory in advance: +352 24782544.
Press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture
https://ma.gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites.gouvernement2024+de+actualites+toutes_a ctualites+communiques+2025+04-avril+16-bestatigung-tularamie-hasen.html