State of New Jersey
Department of Health
Governor Phil Murphy · Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver
Improving Health Through Leadership and Innovation
Report Confirmed or Suspect Cases Immediately to the Local Health Department.
Tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever,” is a disease caused by bacteria. It is typically found in animals, especially rodent and rabbits. People can get tularemia several different ways including being bitten by an infected tick, handling infected animals, eating or drinking contaminated food or water, or breathing in dust from soil, grass, grain or hay or other material contaminated with the bacteria. Symptoms depend on how the person was exposed, but may include: skin ulcer, swollen lymph glands, inflamed eyes, sore throat, mouth sores, diarrhea, or pneumonia. If inhaled, symptoms can include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, dry cough and weakness. The disease does not spread from person to person and can be treated with antibiotics.
