Francisella tularensis
Rabbit Fever
What is it?
This pathogenic species of bacteria was discovered in ground squirrels in 1911. It has been found in birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, and some invertebrates. There are four subspecies of this bacterial disease. Unfortunately, the only lethal strain is located mostly in North America.
YOU'RE INFECTED!
Its about as rare to get this disease as it is to see a white tiger in the wild. Even though this bacteria mostly attacks animals, you are among the 200 or so a year nationwide who get this disease.
So it begins...
How did you get it? Well, you have either inhaled it, had skin contact with it, or eaten an animal that it had been infected.
What happens?
There are many symptoms, such as; skin ulcers, swollen and painful lymph glands, inflamed eyes, sore throat, mouth sores, diarrhea, pneumonia, abrupt onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, dry cough, or progressive weakness. Even with all those nasty things, it's not spread from person to person, you dont need to be isolated.
What its mission is
Rabbit fever infects your white blood cells, which then attacks your immune system, shutting down important organs. The fatality rate, if untreated, is 10%. If treated and antibiotics used, it is only 1%.
Fight back
There are some antibiotics developed, but the most effective ones are still in the lab stages, due to the highly contagious nature of this bacteria.
Not so fun fact
Rabbit fever was in the WWII era (and probably still is) researched and used (by the soviets... and us) as a biological weapon. They would use the airborne species and put it in a canister and drop it like a bomb.
Sources
http://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/sebin/z/r/tularemia_micrograph.jpghttp://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/sebin/j/p/tularemia_lesion_leg-sm.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisella_tularensishttp://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/tularemia/faq.asphttp://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/11/09/article-1226308-07245E50000005DC-90_634x489.jpghttp://www.nebraskaaircrash.com/images/nacbomb1.gif