The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1934-11-29
CITIZENS WARNED ABOUT
DANGER OF RABBIT FEVER
Simple Precautions are Needed
for Those Handling Animals

Since Br'er Rabbit-not a healthy
Br'er Rabbit, but a diseased one
has been recognized as the source of
the disease which humans contract in
handling infected animals, and which
is known as Tularemia or Rabbit
Fever, warnings are issued as soon
as the hunting season opens, to hunt
ers, market men, foodhandlers, house
keepers, cooks, and any others who
handle game or who prepare it for
the table, to take certain simple pre-
cautions. Here they are, as outlined
by DR.. R. H. Riley, director of the
State Department of Health:
"Be sure you bag only healthy ami
mails, when you go hunting for rab-
bits. The animal that seems dazed
or stupid is likely to be a sick one
infected with the germs that cause
rabbit fever. Avoid that kind.
Don't handle the game with bare
hands, when preparing the meat for
the market or the table. The infection
may be picked up from the fur, as
well as from the organs or flesh Of the
animal.
eff it is impossible to use gloves,
wash the hands thoroughly with soap
and water Immediately after handling
rabbit.
"Do not allow any open cut or
scratch to come in contact with the
rabbits. Keep your hands away
from your face and eyes when hand
ling rabbits.
Burn the paper or other wrap
pings that have been in contact with
the game.
Cook rabbit meat thoroughly"
The first case of rabbit fever in
Maryland during the current season
was reported to the State Depart
ment of Health few days ago. Since
1928, when the disease was first made
reportable, 1875 cases have been noted
in the State. Of the total, &c occur
red in the counties and So in Balti-
more City. There have been 13
deaths, 6 in Baltimore City and II in
the counties. The majority of the
cases have occurred in the late fall
or the early winter, during the hunt
ing season. A few have been reported
at other times.
Speaking of the disease as a season
al one, DR.. Riley said it could be con-
tracted through handling or skinning
infected animals; through preparing
the infected meat for cooking or for
other use; through the bite of infected
ticks-which spread the disease from
animal to animal-and even through
crushing the infected ticks in the
hands. The infectious meterial can be
absorbed through a mere scratch or
break in the skin.
"The disease usually starts" DR..
Riley said, with symptoms that re-
semble grippe or influenza. 1t has
often been mistaken for typhoid fever.
In many cases, an ulcer develops at
the site of the infection. Whatever
form it takes, means long, serious
illness. The family doctor should be
sent for without delay whenever
symptoms develop that suggest rab-
bit fever. To assist in the diagnosis
of the disease, blood tests for the
presence of the infection will be made
by the State Psychological Labora-
tories, at the request of the attending
physical, for any case in the counties.
"The infection is found principally
in wild rabbits. Rabbits raised in
rabbitries are usually free from ticks
which carry the infection-and so
far, the disease has not been due to
domestic rabbits. Thoroug cooking
destroys the germs that cause the
disease. Thoroughly cooked rabbit
meat is harmless"
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