A rare illness known as “Beaver Fever” has turned up in New York for the first time in more than twenty years.

State wildlife officials are concerned after positive tests have been reported for the bacteria Francisella tularensis. Known colloquially as rabbit fever or beaver fever, the infection leads to a serious and contagious condition. loading...

What is 'Beaver Fever' and Why Should New York Be Concerned?

Despite the playful nickname, Beaver Fever isn’t something to joke about. The illness, officially called tularemia, is caused when the bacteria is spread between animals and people. It’s most often found in beavers, muskrats, rabbits, and hares.

State wildlife officials say three beavers have tested positive for tularemia this year; one in Cattaraugus County in August and two in

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