Two people in the Munich district infected with rabbit plague – what you should know
Two people from the northern Munich district have been infected with tularemia, also known as rabbit fever. The disease is being reported with increasing frequency. Here are some signs of infection and how you can protect yourself.
One of the two infections reported in the Munich district is definitely due to a tick bite, and the other is also suspected to be a tick bite, the Munich District Office announced. The infected individuals are being treated with antibiotics , and their health has already improved.
Rabbit plague is a bacterial infectious disease. It is relatively rare in Germany; the Robert Koch Institute estimates 60 to 120 cases per year. Nevertheless, it "should not be underestimated as a disease in humans and animals." According to the Munich District Office, the disease is being reported with increasing frequency. 71 registered cases occurred in Bavaria alone in 2024.
According to the State Health Office, the pathogen is found primarily in wild animals such as hares, but also in mice, squirrels, and birds. Insects such as ticks or horseflies typically transmit the bacteria from infected animals.
Under certain circumstances, infection may also occur through inhaling contaminated particles, for example, while gardening, according to the Munich District Office. Human-to-human transmission is currently unknown.
"The symptoms of the disease can be very diverse," explains the Robert Koch Institute. They usually appear after three to five days.
At the beginning, non-specific flu-like symptoms usually occur, such as
- an ulcer at the entry point
- pronounced lymph node swelling
- sometimes additional chest pain
Health authorities advised washing hands after gardening and forestry work, wearing tick repellent, and wearing long clothing to protect against insects. They also recommend cooking game meat thoroughly and avoiding touching dead hares or rabbits.
According to the RKI, water, contaminated animal carcasses or wild animal meat contaminated with the pathogen remain infectious for a very long time at cold temperatures, including in the freezer.
The district health and veterinary office advised increased vigilance, but there is no cause for concern. The disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early.
According to the Robert Koch Institute, people who perform the following activities are at risk for rabbit plague:
- hunter
- Butchers (with contact with infected wild animals)
- lumberjack
- Gardener (for outdoor activities)
- or people who inhale contaminated dust or consume insufficiently cooked meat from infected wild animals.
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