Cases of rare ‘rabbit fever’ disease rose by more than 50 percent in the U.S. in recent years

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Cases of tularemia — a rare and sometimes fatal infectious disease that is also known commonly as “rabbit fever” — have risen in the US in recent years. Cases of tularemia, the potentially serious bacterial infection also known as ‘rabbit fever,’ have increased in recent years across the country This jump is largely a result of increased reporting of probable cases, the agency noted. “These findings might reflect an actual increase in human infection or improved case detection amid changes in commercially available laboratory tests during this period,” the report’s authors said. “Reducing tularemia incidence will require tailored prevention education; mitigating morbidity and mortality will require health care provider education, particularly among providers serving tribal populations, regarding early and accurate diagnosis and treatment,” it said.