Tularemia cases on the rise in Minnesota, cats most susceptible

The Minnesota Department of Health and Board of Animal Health are tracking an increase in tularemia cases in animals across the state. Epidemiologist Maria Bye says tularemia, previously known as “rabbit fever,” can affect over 250 animal species, but cats are the animals that get sick with it the most often and get hit the hardest. Bye says dogs can also be infected, as can humans, through either a tick or fly bite or interacting with an infected animal. With an average of seven animal cases reported annually, 21 cases were reported in 2023, and seven have already been reported in Minnesota this year.