Testing indicates Tularemia may be present in Long Point wildlife

To The Haldimand Press

LONG POINT—The Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit (HNHU) is reminding those living in the Long Point area to avoid handling wildlife after the discovery of the bacteria that causes tularemia – an infectious disease – in a large number of muskrats in the area.

Tularemia – also known as rabbit fever – affects humans and animals such as muskrats, rabbits, beavers, deer flies, and ticks. In humans, it typically attacks the skin, eyes, lymph nodes, and lungs.

Symptoms include the sudden onset of high fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, and nausea. There were four human cases reported across Ontario between 2007 and 2017. With treatment, death is rare.