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From: Not so scary...
Date: 01 Jul 2008
Time: 08:42:16 -0700
Remote Name: 170.63.96.108
Talk about being naive to our, as you say, "rural" sourroundings. What do you think a farmer would do with a rabbit that was eating his/her stock? A. Rabbits are primary carriers of tick fever, tularemia, powassan virus and rabies. Tularemia is an infectious disease in rabbits that is caused by bacteria. Humans contract tularemia when broken skin comes into contact with an infected rabbit carcass. Also, if a rabbit has been depositing fecal matter into your soil, you may contract tularemia while gardening or spending time in your yard. People with tularemia will develop an ulcer at the site of infection, and lymph glands can become enflamed and swollen. Then, a fever can develop which can last over one month. Tick fever is a virus that results in, obviously, a fever, chills, headache, eye pain, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting. Tick fever can be a severe illness, especially in children and the elderly. Powassan virus can cause severe encephalitis in humans and has up to a 60 percent fatality rabbite. Infected humans may experience sleepiness, disorientation and become semicomatose. Rabies, a virus, progressively paralyzes and can kill any mammal, including humans. Rabies is generally contracted through contact with an infected rabbit through biting. Though humans should avoid contact with any rabbits, if a rabbit seems especially fearless around humans, it could be infected. Call United Wildlife rabbit control immediately for professional rabbit removal.