New York health officials confirmed a fourth 2026 case of rabbit fever in Suffolk County, extending a recent pattern of infections on Long Island. The update matters because tularemia is rare, can resemble more common illnesses and may spread through ticks, animal contact, contaminated dust or water. Here is what residents should know.
Key Takeaways
- Suffolk County has recorded four tularemia cases in 2026 after three in 2023, four in 2024 and six in 2025.
- Officials have not publicly identified how the latest patient became infected.
- Tularemia is not known to spread directly from person to person.
- Symptoms vary by exposure route and may include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, skin ulcers, cough or abdominal symptoms.
- Prevention centers on avoiding tick bites, handling wildlife carefully and checking yards before mowing.
Rabbit fever has returned to the center of Long Island’s seasonal health discussion after the Suffolk County Department of Health Services confirmed the county’s fourth case of 2026.
Dr. Gregson Pigott, commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, confirmed the latest infection on Aug. 6. Public reporting available at the time did not identify the patient’s condition or likely route of exposure.
The count remains small, and officials have not described the cases as an outbreak spreading between residents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that tularemia is not known to pass directly from one person to another. Public health attention is instead focused on outdoor and animal-related exposure.
The annual totals provide context. Suffolk County recorded three cases in 2023, four in 2024 and six in 2025. The four cases reported so far in 2026 match the county’s full-year count for 2024 but remain below the six cases reported last year.
Those figures do not establish that the illness is spreading broadly across New York. They show that the bacterium has continued to appear in Suffolk County during several consecutive years, making case recognition and public health surveillance relevant during the warmer months.
Nationally, the CDC documented 2,462 tularemia cases from 2011 through 2022, an average of about 205 cases each year. The average annual incidence during that period was 56 percent higher than during 2001 through 2010, although federal researchers said the change may partly reflect improved testing and increased reporting of probable cases.
Symptoms and Exposure Routes Complicate Detection
Tularemia is caused by Francisella tularensis, a bacterium associated with rabbits, hares, rodents and other animals. Its nickname can be misleading because direct contact with a rabbit is not required for infection.
People may become infected through bites from ticks or deer flies, contact with infected animal tissue, contaminated water, or inhalation of contaminated dust and aerosols. Landscaping equipment can create a possible exposure if it passes over an infected animal or carcass.
Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told ABC News that hunters may be exposed through close contact with infected rabbit tissue while handling an animal. That is one recognized route, but health guidance also emphasizes insect bites and environmental contact.
Symptoms often appear three to five days after exposure, although the CDC lists a possible range of one to 21 days. General symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, reduced appetite, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain.
Other signs depend on how the bacteria entered the body. A patient may develop a skin ulcer and swollen lymph nodes after a tick bite or animal contact. Inhaled bacteria may produce cough, chest discomfort or difficulty breathing. Exposure through contaminated food or water may cause throat or digestive symptoms.
That variation can make early recognition difficult. The CDC advises patients to tell a health care provider about recent tick bites, outdoor work, hunting, landscaping and contact with sick or dead animals. Those details can help clinicians decide whether testing for rabbit fever is appropriate.
Careful interpretation of health research findings is also important. A rise in reported cases can reflect several factors, including changes in exposure, clinician awareness, laboratory methods and reporting practices. Case totals alone do not identify the cause of a year-to-year increase.
Prevention Focuses on Ticks, Animals and Yard Work
Health guidance emphasizes targeted precautions rather than broad alarm. People entering wooded, grassy or brush-filled areas can use an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent, wear long sleeves and long pants, and conduct a full tick check after returning indoors.
Ticks should be removed promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, following established public health instructions. Clothing and outdoor gear should also be checked because ticks can be carried indoors before attaching to a person.
Residents should avoid handling sick or dead wildlife with bare hands. Gloves are recommended when animal contact cannot be avoided. Pet owners can discuss tick prevention with a veterinarian, particularly for animals that spend time outdoors or encounter wildlife.
The CDC also advises people to inspect an area before mowing or using brush-cutting equipment. Avoiding dead animals can reduce the chance of disturbing contaminated tissue and releasing bacteria into dust or aerosols.
Tularemia can be serious, but the CDC says most infections can be treated successfully with appropriate antibiotics. Treatment depends on the form and severity of the illness, making medical evaluation important when persistent fever, swollen glands, a skin ulcer or respiratory symptoms follow a possible exposure.
The fourth Suffolk County case does not mean every tick bite or wildlife encounter will cause illness. It does place rabbit fever among the conditions residents and clinicians may consider when unexplained symptoms follow outdoor activity on Long Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Rabbit Fever?
Rabbit fever is another name for tularemia, a bacterial disease caused by Francisella tularensis. It can affect people and animals and remains uncommon in the United States.
How Does Tularemia Spread?
Tularemia may spread through infected ticks or deer flies, contact with infected animals, contaminated water, or inhaled dust containing the bacteria. The CDC says it is not known to spread from one person to another.
What Symptoms Should Residents Watch For?
Possible symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph nodes, skin ulcers, cough, chest discomfort, vomiting or abdominal pain. The pattern may differ depending on the route of exposure.
Can Rabbit Fever Be Treated?
Yes. The CDC states that most infections can be treated successfully with antibiotics, although the medication and treatment plan depend on the patient’s condition and disease severity.
How Can People Reduce Their Risk?
People can use registered insect repellent, wear protective clothing, check for ticks, avoid bare-handed contact with sick or dead animals, and inspect yards before mowing. Anyone with concerning symptoms after a possible exposure should contact a health care provider.
