Hasenbrucellosis in West Styria – contagious for humans – Diepresse.com

In West Styria, cases of a highly contagious bacterial disease in framework were confirmed, as the State Hunter Styria announced on Wednesday. With the so -called rabbit brucellosis, there is a risk of infection for humans. In December 2024 in St. Andrä in the Lavant Valley (Wolfsberg district) in the eastern Carinthia, the plague was first detected in a framework found dead.

Brucellosis can also be transferred to wild and domestic pigs as well as to humans. The chronic course of the disease leads to abscesses primarily in sex organs, spleen and liver, but also in subcutaneous and muscles. In humans, the disease manifests itself with flu -like symptoms. The main symptoms are fever, night sweats, chills and nausea. The fever lasts one to three weeks in acute courses.

Three out of 21 examined carcasses tested positively

In a project, hunters in the western Styrian district of Germany, which borders on the eastern Carinthia, examined 21 field hares that were either found dead or killed in a traffic accident. Brucellosis was clearly detected in three carcasses. This project was accompanied by the former official veterinarian in the Murau district of Murau, Armin Deutz, who is also a wild biologist and covered expert. Deutz said, among other things, that in the future, framework diseases would increase even more than the habitat and weather conditions for rabbits deteriorate.

Due to the risk of infection, this project not only integrated the district’s hunting staff, but also the roadmasters and the police inspections. The infection is carried out by contact or lubricating infections via skin injuries when attacking, turning off or dismantling infected animals. The incubation period is up to three weeks.

Do not touch dead animals

Styria’s state hunters pointed out that « behavioral trimmings that have lost their natural shyness should never be touched ». Animals found dead should not be touched without corresponding measures such as protective gloves. Please inform the population to inform hunters who are found in the case of found brown hares who take care of a professional disposal. (APA)