Oct 24, 2025
Photo courtesy of NYSDEC Tularemia is a zoonotic disease sometimes called rabbit fever or beaver fever, and most commonly affected wildlife species are beavers, muskrats and rabbits. In 2025, three cases have been reported in WNY.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has just recently made public that three cases of tularemia have been diagnosed in beavers this year — one in Cattaraugus County (in August) and two in Chautauqua County (in April). Tularemia is rare in New York. Prior to this year, the last case of tularemia in the state was in a beaver from Cattaraugus County in 2004.
Tularemia, sometimes called rabbit fever or beaver fever, is a serious zoonotic disease (it can move from animals and insects to humans) caused by infection with the bacteria Francisella Tularensis. The most commonly affected wildlife species are beavers, muskrats, rabbits and hares. Tularemia is most commonly transmitted by ticks but can also be transmitted by other insects or through blood or tissues of infected animals through ingestion or aerosolization.
Trappers and hunters are at a higher risk of exposure to tularemia, especially those that handle beavers, muskrats or rabbits. Always wear gloves when skinning or handling any wild animal and be sure to clean and disinfect hands and equipment thoroughly after any contact with wildlife. Wild game meat should be cooked thoroughly before consumption. It also may help to keep a log that includes dates of contact with wildlife in case of sickness.
DEC advises individuals to consult your physician if you experience the following symptoms and have been in contact with wild beavers, muskrats, or rabbits or had a recent tick bite: high fever, progressive weakness, anorexia and weight loss, or non-healing ulcerated wounds. Tularemia is treatable with antibiotics, but prompt medical attention is critical to avoid serious illness. For more information on tularemia, visit the NYS Wildlife Health Program’s disease page (https://cwhl.vet.cornell.edu/disease/tularemia).
We all know about the dangers of deer ticks (and related Lyme disease) to anyone walking the fields or woods these days, and the need to be aware of the simple protections to use to stay safe from deer ticks. Permethrin on your clothes (good for six weeks), Picaridin on any exposed skin (reapply each day). These helpful protective barriers are inexpensive at local retail outlets.
Gotta love the outdoors.
CALENDAR
Oct. 25 to Jan. 12: NYS late Canada goose hunting season in southern, west central and east central zones; check bag limits; see syllabus.
Oct. 25: Trapping season opens, NYS Southern Zone, see syllabus; coyote, fox, etc.
Oct. 25: NYS Northern Zone regular big-game season opens. See syllabus for WMUs.
Oct. 25: WNY Chapter of Trout Unlimited, monthly meeting 6 p.m., 4545 Transit Road, Clarence; fly tying 5 p.m.
Oct. 28: Children in the Stream, Youth Fly Fishing program, free, Costello Room, Rockefeller Art Center, SUNY Fredonia, 7-8:30 p.m., 12 years old and older, info: 716-410-7003 (Alberto Rey).
Oct. 31: Last day of NYS Southern Zone turkey season.
Nov. 8-9: NYS Western Zone waterfowl hunting military days, see syllabus for bag limits/rules.
Nov. 11: NYS Free Fishing Day, no license needed to fish for residents and non-residents.
Nov. 15 to Dec. 7: NYS Southern Zone regular (firearms) Southern Zone big-game hunting season open.
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