The Suffolk County Department of Health in New York has reported three probable cases of tularemia , also known as rabbit fever , drawing attention to a rare but potentially serious bacterial infection that remains an important differential diagnosis during the peak tick season. According to the report, tularemia is caused by Francisella tularensis and is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected tick or fly , particularly the Lone Star tick and the American dog tick . Infection may also occur through direct contact with infected animals , consumption of contaminated water, inhalation of contaminated dust , or eating undercooked rabbit meat .

The disease does not spread from person to person. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that tularemia cases occur most commonly between May and September . Although the disease is uncommon, with fewer than 200…