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A trail that turns into an epidemic: this mysterious "rabbit fever" that affects several Norwegian athletes
LP
Today at 1:34 p.m.
Panic in Norway. Two cases of tularemia, nicknamed rabbit fever, have been confirmed after a Norwegian Cup race held from September 19 to 21. Several dozen participants may be infected, including athletes from the Norwegian national team.
It's an unexpected outbreak. Norwegian media outlet NRK reports that several dozen orienteering athletes, some of whom are members of the Norwegian national team, may have contracted tularemia, also known as rabbit or hare fever. They are believed to have contracted it during a Norwegian Cup race held from September 19 to 21.
Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg, an orienteer , said she started experiencing "extremely swollen lymph nodes in my groin" three days after the race. "I had trouble walking up the stairs. At first, I thought I had a cold. I trained normally, with long runs and intensive sessions. But on Sunday, I suddenly had a high fever," she also said.
Two confirmed cases, around twenty athletes under treatment
And she's not the only one affected. On Tuesday, her husband, the national orienteering team coach, was contacted by the team doctor, Håvard Dybdahl. He told him that several team members were likely infected. "I've been tested, but I haven't received the results yet. I've started antibiotic treatment because of the symptoms," said Anders Nordberg.
The day before, the organizers had sounded the alarm. "We informed about 500 athletes that, unfortunately, several participants had been diagnosed with rabbit fever. The responses received over time indicate that several dozen athletes could be affected," event director Ivar Maalen told the Norwegian newspaper.
While diagnosing rabbit fever is "quite complex," according to a doctor consulted by some of the participants, two athletes have already tested positive for tularemia, and about 20 others have started treatment, according to Ås Municipality's chief physician , Ådne Dæhlin. "Fortunately, we haven't yet heard of any serious cases. These are young, very fit people, who are generally better prepared for the disease," he said. Participants in the event should watch for symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, a rash similar to chickenpox, or breathing problems.
Contaminated by infested puddles of water and mud?
While the cause of this rabbit fever outbreak remains unknown, Ådne Dæhlin explains that there is generally a link between the symptoms and the mode of infection. "People affected have reported leg ulcers, swollen lymph nodes in the groin, and fever, which means the infection was most likely caused by skin sores and ulcers on the legs," he said, adding that the disease is not transmissible from human to human.
He continued: "No one reported any respiratory, gastric, or intestinal symptoms, so it is unlikely that the infection was caused by inhaling dust or drinking contaminated drinking water. We therefore believe it is highly likely that the athletes were infected during the race: there was heavy rain that formed large puddles of water and mud. They may have run in water contaminated, for example by a dead, infected animal."
Rabbit fever is treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can drag on and lead to complications. Eirik Langedal Breivik, who won his first orienteering gold medal in July, and Jørgen Baklid, world champion in ski orienteering and relay orienteering, are among those showing symptoms. "The team doctor told me I'm not the only one. He mentioned Chagas disease as a possibility—and I don't want that because it would jeopardize my winter season," Baklid said. "Tularemia sounds serious, but I'm not too worried about it."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sounding the alarm after the Norwegian Cup race: The O-environment has been hit hard by hare fever
Dozens of orienteers, including several national team members, are likely infected with hare fever. Organizers are now asking anyone with symptoms to get tested.
Published yesterday at 05:30 Updated yesterday at 10:11
– Three days after the race, I developed extremely swollen lymph nodes in my groin. I had trouble walking up the stairs. At first I thought it was a cold, and trained as normal, both long runs and hard sessions. But on Sunday I suddenly got a high fever, says Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg.
The orienteering veteran describes the sequence of events after the Norwegian Cup weekend in Ås, September 19–21.
This week, information emerged that put Nordberg's experience in a new light. On Tuesday, her husband – Anders Nordberg, who is the national orienteering coach – was contacted by national team doctor Håvard Dybdahl.
The message was that several national team runners are probably infected with hare fever.
– I have taken a test, which I have not received a response to yet. I have still had to start a course of antibiotics because of the symptoms, Nordberg tells NRK.
– Dozens of athletes
Event manager Ivar Maalen confirms that Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg is not the only one.
On Monday, the organizers sounded the alarm.
– We sent out information to around 500 athletes that, unfortunately, hare fever has been detected in several participants. The response over time indicates that there may be dozens of athletes affected, says Maalen.
Maalen says he himself did not become aware of this until Monday, when he was contacted by doctor Ola Berger at Granåsen Medical Center.
– He had athletes in there who had been diagnosed with hare fever after participating in the Norwegian Cup in Ås, he says.
– I contacted several infected people with clinical suspicion of hare plague. The actual detection of hare plague is somewhat "tricky", so we are waiting for some test results for a final 100 percent diagnosis, Berger writes in a message to NRK.
NRK has seen the information sent out on Tuesday. It states that two athletes had been diagnosed with the infection, while another five had begun treatment.
Those who participated in the races are asked to be on the lookout for symptoms such as fever, lymph node swelling, a shingles-like rash, or respiratory problems.
Municipal chief physician: – Notifiable disease
Ivar Maalen states that the municipal supervisor in Ås, Ådne Dæhlin, has been informed.
– Hares fever is a notifiable disease. In the event of an outbreak, the municipal chief physician is notified. I first received an inquiry about this on Tuesday evening. At that time, there were seven cases, says municipal chief physician Dæhlin to NRK.
– During the day, we have been in contact with, among others, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the organizer. We are also in dialogue with the federal doctor of the Norwegian Orienteering Federation. We are investigating the extent and cause, he continues.
– What do you know about scope now?
– We don't have a full overview, but what we now know for sure is that around 20 athletes have started taking antibiotics. There are probably more, says Dæhlin on Wednesday afternoon.
The likely source of infection
It is still uncertain what the specific source of infection for the rabbit plague outbreak is.
The municipal chief physician says that they cannot conclude, but that as a starting point there is usually a connection between symptoms and how one becomes infected.
– Since there have currently been reports of ulcers on the legs, swollen lymph nodes in the groin and fever, it is most likely that people have been infected through tears and ulcers in the skin on the legs, says the municipal doctor.
He emphasizes that the disease is not contagious between people.
HelseNorge.no writes that infection "often occurs via drinking water, for example if dead mice or lemmings infect wells, streams and other water sources. Infection can also occur by breathing in dust contaminated by sick animals or their feces."
– Since we have not heard of anyone who has had symptoms from the respiratory tract or stomach and intestines, it is less likely that one is infected via inhaling dust or by drinking contaminated water. In Sweden and Finland, infection through mosquitoes and ticks is the most common source of infection. This is unlikely here, since we currently only know of the athletes in this particular competition who have had symptoms, says Dæhlin.
– We therefore believe that the most likely thing is that the athletes were infected while they were out running. During the competition there was a lot of rain and large puddles of water and mud, and they may have run through contaminated water where, for example, a dead and infected animal may have been lying.
Antibiotic treatment
Rubella is treated with antibiotics. If untreated, the course of the disease can be long-lasting.
The municipal chief physician says that it is important to see a doctor if you have symptoms and suspect infection, so that you can start taking antibiotics.
– Otherwise, we are continuing to work on mapping the extent and mode of infection, and the municipality is in dialogue with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, organizer Ås IL, the Norwegian Orienteering Association and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority about this, says Dæhlin and continues:
– Fortunately, we have not heard of anyone who has become seriously ill so far. These are young, very fit people, who are generally better equipped to withstand the disease.
On Wednesday, there was a meeting with Maalen, national team doctor Håvard Dybdahl and secretary general Øystein Hildeskor of the Norwegian Orienteering Federation, among others. There, they discussed how the situation should be handled further.
– What emerged is that there are clinical findings that there is a probable outbreak of rabbit plague. The organizer has done absolutely the right thing and immediately sent a message to everyone who participated about this probable outbreak. I think we should give all the credit to the organizer who took this seriously right away, Hildeskor tells NRK.
– We encourage all athletes who participated, if they have symptoms, to see a doctor.
Feared the kissing bug
National team coach Anders Nordberg confirms that several national team runners are likely among the infected.
One of them is Jørgen Baklid, who has World Cup gold medals in both ski orienteering and orienteering (relay).
Baklid himself confirms to NRK that he has symptoms, and that he took a test at the Olympiatoppen in Oslo on Wednesday morning.
– They weren't quite sure what to do at Olympiatoppen. I don't think they've ever encountered it before. I took some blood samples and a PCR test. Then it will be sent to St Olavs in Trondheim, he says.
– I ran in the World Cup this weekend and my body was not functioning very well. When I got home I told the national team doctor about my symptoms and he said I wasn't the only one. He mentioned the kissing bug as a possibility and I DON'T want that, because then the winter season hangs in the balance. Leprosy sounds bad, but it's not something I was really worried about, smiles Baklid.
Eirik Langedal Breivik, who won his first World Cup gold medal in orienteering in July, can also talk about symptoms and that he has started taking antibiotics.
He speaks to NRK on his way home from Genoa, Italy, where he has been preparing for next year's World Cup. After being advised to return home, the training session was canceled.
– I had a bad day of training first, then a swollen groin, and then more classic body aches, fever and chills. It was worst at night, says Breivik, who is also glad it wasn't the flu.
– How do you think the situation has been handled?
– I think it's actually been good. It was pretty clear what it was most likely about. It's been handled well by the person I've been in contact with, who is the national team doctor. I'm happy with that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probable outbreak of Rinderpest/Tularemia after the races at Ås
Posted by the Norwegian Orienteering Federation on Oct 1, 2025
Runners who participated September 19-21 must be observant of symptoms.
There are several cases of suspected hare fever among runners who participated in the races at Ås 19-21.09.
As of today, there is no clear overview of the extent of the outbreak or suspected source of infection.
The athletes who are now receiving treatment for suspected hare fever have slightly different symptoms, but what is common is often high fever, swollen/tender lymph nodes, and wounds that will not heal.
Based on this, we ask runners who participated to be observant and seek medical attention for evaluation if they have such symptoms. Rinderpest can cause other symptoms as well, but those mentioned have proven to be relevant for those who have become ill after the races.
For further information about Rabbit Pest in general, please refer to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health's website.
See link: https://www.fhi.no/sm/smittevernhandboka/sjörður-aa/tularemi/
https://www.orientering.no/next/blog...age=true
A trail that turns into an epidemic: this mysterious "rabbit fever" that affects several Norwegian athletes
LP
Today at 1:34 p.m.
Panic in Norway. Two cases of tularemia, nicknamed rabbit fever, have been confirmed after a Norwegian Cup race held from September 19 to 21. Several dozen participants may be infected, including athletes from the Norwegian national team.
It's an unexpected outbreak. Norwegian media outlet NRK reports that several dozen orienteering athletes, some of whom are members of the Norwegian national team, may have contracted tularemia, also known as rabbit or hare fever. They are believed to have contracted it during a Norwegian Cup race held from September 19 to 21.
Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg, an orienteer , said she started experiencing "extremely swollen lymph nodes in my groin" three days after the race. "I had trouble walking up the stairs. At first, I thought I had a cold. I trained normally, with long runs and intensive sessions. But on Sunday, I suddenly had a high fever," she also said.
Two confirmed cases, around twenty athletes under treatment
And she's not the only one affected. On Tuesday, her husband, the national orienteering team coach, was contacted by the team doctor, Håvard Dybdahl. He told him that several team members were likely infected. "I've been tested, but I haven't received the results yet. I've started antibiotic treatment because of the symptoms," said Anders Nordberg.
The day before, the organizers had sounded the alarm. "We informed about 500 athletes that, unfortunately, several participants had been diagnosed with rabbit fever. The responses received over time indicate that several dozen athletes could be affected," event director Ivar Maalen told the Norwegian newspaper.
While diagnosing rabbit fever is "quite complex," according to a doctor consulted by some of the participants, two athletes have already tested positive for tularemia, and about 20 others have started treatment, according to Ås Municipality's chief physician , Ådne Dæhlin. "Fortunately, we haven't yet heard of any serious cases. These are young, very fit people, who are generally better prepared for the disease," he said. Participants in the event should watch for symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, a rash similar to chickenpox, or breathing problems.
Contaminated by infested puddles of water and mud?
While the cause of this rabbit fever outbreak remains unknown, Ådne Dæhlin explains that there is generally a link between the symptoms and the mode of infection. "People affected have reported leg ulcers, swollen lymph nodes in the groin, and fever, which means the infection was most likely caused by skin sores and ulcers on the legs," he said, adding that the disease is not transmissible from human to human.
He continued: "No one reported any respiratory, gastric, or intestinal symptoms, so it is unlikely that the infection was caused by inhaling dust or drinking contaminated drinking water. We therefore believe it is highly likely that the athletes were infected during the race: there was heavy rain that formed large puddles of water and mud. They may have run in water contaminated, for example by a dead, infected animal."
Rabbit fever is treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can drag on and lead to complications. Eirik Langedal Breivik, who won his first orienteering gold medal in July, and Jørgen Baklid, world champion in ski orienteering and relay orienteering, are among those showing symptoms. "The team doctor told me I'm not the only one. He mentioned Chagas disease as a possibility—and I don't want that because it would jeopardize my winter season," Baklid said. "Tularemia sounds serious, but I'm not too worried about it."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sounding the alarm after the Norwegian Cup race: The O-environment has been hit hard by hare fever
Dozens of orienteers, including several national team members, are likely infected with hare fever. Organizers are now asking anyone with symptoms to get tested.
Published yesterday at 05:30 Updated yesterday at 10:11
– Three days after the race, I developed extremely swollen lymph nodes in my groin. I had trouble walking up the stairs. At first I thought it was a cold, and trained as normal, both long runs and hard sessions. But on Sunday I suddenly got a high fever, says Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg.
The orienteering veteran describes the sequence of events after the Norwegian Cup weekend in Ås, September 19–21.
This week, information emerged that put Nordberg's experience in a new light. On Tuesday, her husband – Anders Nordberg, who is the national orienteering coach – was contacted by national team doctor Håvard Dybdahl.
The message was that several national team runners are probably infected with hare fever.
– I have taken a test, which I have not received a response to yet. I have still had to start a course of antibiotics because of the symptoms, Nordberg tells NRK.
– Dozens of athletes
Event manager Ivar Maalen confirms that Anne Margrethe Hausken Nordberg is not the only one.
On Monday, the organizers sounded the alarm.
– We sent out information to around 500 athletes that, unfortunately, hare fever has been detected in several participants. The response over time indicates that there may be dozens of athletes affected, says Maalen.
Maalen says he himself did not become aware of this until Monday, when he was contacted by doctor Ola Berger at Granåsen Medical Center.
– He had athletes in there who had been diagnosed with hare fever after participating in the Norwegian Cup in Ås, he says.
– I contacted several infected people with clinical suspicion of hare plague. The actual detection of hare plague is somewhat "tricky", so we are waiting for some test results for a final 100 percent diagnosis, Berger writes in a message to NRK.
NRK has seen the information sent out on Tuesday. It states that two athletes had been diagnosed with the infection, while another five had begun treatment.
Those who participated in the races are asked to be on the lookout for symptoms such as fever, lymph node swelling, a shingles-like rash, or respiratory problems.
Municipal chief physician: – Notifiable disease
Ivar Maalen states that the municipal supervisor in Ås, Ådne Dæhlin, has been informed.
– Hares fever is a notifiable disease. In the event of an outbreak, the municipal chief physician is notified. I first received an inquiry about this on Tuesday evening. At that time, there were seven cases, says municipal chief physician Dæhlin to NRK.
– During the day, we have been in contact with, among others, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the organizer. We are also in dialogue with the federal doctor of the Norwegian Orienteering Federation. We are investigating the extent and cause, he continues.
– What do you know about scope now?
– We don't have a full overview, but what we now know for sure is that around 20 athletes have started taking antibiotics. There are probably more, says Dæhlin on Wednesday afternoon.
The likely source of infection
It is still uncertain what the specific source of infection for the rabbit plague outbreak is.
The municipal chief physician says that they cannot conclude, but that as a starting point there is usually a connection between symptoms and how one becomes infected.
– Since there have currently been reports of ulcers on the legs, swollen lymph nodes in the groin and fever, it is most likely that people have been infected through tears and ulcers in the skin on the legs, says the municipal doctor.
He emphasizes that the disease is not contagious between people.
HelseNorge.no writes that infection "often occurs via drinking water, for example if dead mice or lemmings infect wells, streams and other water sources. Infection can also occur by breathing in dust contaminated by sick animals or their feces."
– Since we have not heard of anyone who has had symptoms from the respiratory tract or stomach and intestines, it is less likely that one is infected via inhaling dust or by drinking contaminated water. In Sweden and Finland, infection through mosquitoes and ticks is the most common source of infection. This is unlikely here, since we currently only know of the athletes in this particular competition who have had symptoms, says Dæhlin.
– We therefore believe that the most likely thing is that the athletes were infected while they were out running. During the competition there was a lot of rain and large puddles of water and mud, and they may have run through contaminated water where, for example, a dead and infected animal may have been lying.
Antibiotic treatment
Rubella is treated with antibiotics. If untreated, the course of the disease can be long-lasting.
The municipal chief physician says that it is important to see a doctor if you have symptoms and suspect infection, so that you can start taking antibiotics.
– Otherwise, we are continuing to work on mapping the extent and mode of infection, and the municipality is in dialogue with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, organizer Ås IL, the Norwegian Orienteering Association and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority about this, says Dæhlin and continues:
– Fortunately, we have not heard of anyone who has become seriously ill so far. These are young, very fit people, who are generally better equipped to withstand the disease.
On Wednesday, there was a meeting with Maalen, national team doctor Håvard Dybdahl and secretary general Øystein Hildeskor of the Norwegian Orienteering Federation, among others. There, they discussed how the situation should be handled further.
– What emerged is that there are clinical findings that there is a probable outbreak of rabbit plague. The organizer has done absolutely the right thing and immediately sent a message to everyone who participated about this probable outbreak. I think we should give all the credit to the organizer who took this seriously right away, Hildeskor tells NRK.
– We encourage all athletes who participated, if they have symptoms, to see a doctor.
Feared the kissing bug
National team coach Anders Nordberg confirms that several national team runners are likely among the infected.
One of them is Jørgen Baklid, who has World Cup gold medals in both ski orienteering and orienteering (relay).
Baklid himself confirms to NRK that he has symptoms, and that he took a test at the Olympiatoppen in Oslo on Wednesday morning.
– They weren't quite sure what to do at Olympiatoppen. I don't think they've ever encountered it before. I took some blood samples and a PCR test. Then it will be sent to St Olavs in Trondheim, he says.
– I ran in the World Cup this weekend and my body was not functioning very well. When I got home I told the national team doctor about my symptoms and he said I wasn't the only one. He mentioned the kissing bug as a possibility and I DON'T want that, because then the winter season hangs in the balance. Leprosy sounds bad, but it's not something I was really worried about, smiles Baklid.
Eirik Langedal Breivik, who won his first World Cup gold medal in orienteering in July, can also talk about symptoms and that he has started taking antibiotics.
He speaks to NRK on his way home from Genoa, Italy, where he has been preparing for next year's World Cup. After being advised to return home, the training session was canceled.
– I had a bad day of training first, then a swollen groin, and then more classic body aches, fever and chills. It was worst at night, says Breivik, who is also glad it wasn't the flu.
– How do you think the situation has been handled?
– I think it's actually been good. It was pretty clear what it was most likely about. It's been handled well by the person I've been in contact with, who is the national team doctor. I'm happy with that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probable outbreak of Rinderpest/Tularemia after the races at Ås
Posted by the Norwegian Orienteering Federation on Oct 1, 2025
Runners who participated September 19-21 must be observant of symptoms.
There are several cases of suspected hare fever among runners who participated in the races at Ås 19-21.09.
As of today, there is no clear overview of the extent of the outbreak or suspected source of infection.
The athletes who are now receiving treatment for suspected hare fever have slightly different symptoms, but what is common is often high fever, swollen/tender lymph nodes, and wounds that will not heal.
Based on this, we ask runners who participated to be observant and seek medical attention for evaluation if they have such symptoms. Rinderpest can cause other symptoms as well, but those mentioned have proven to be relevant for those who have become ill after the races.
For further information about Rabbit Pest in general, please refer to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health's website.
See link: https://www.fhi.no/sm/smittevernhandboka/sjörður-aa/tularemi/
https://www.orientering.no/next/blog...age=true