Hasenpest widens: illness is transferable to humans

A few days ago, a dead hare along a country road was found near Wellenstein. He was brought to the veterinary and grocery laboratory (LVA) on Monday, because on April 3rd the pathogen was demonstrated on April 3 with a rabbit. Two days later, the authorities had the positive test result of the second rabbit, like that Ministry of Agriculture announced on Wednesday.

The highly contagious bacterial disease can also be transferred to humans. The pathogen can primarily be found in wild animals. Hases are particularly receptive, which is why the disease is also referred to as the rabbit plague.

The clinical picture in humans is multi -layered and depends on the entrance gate of the pathogen into the body. After a few days, flu-like symptoms with a high fever, swelling of the lymph node, headache and body pain, diarrhea or vomiting and in infections over the smallest skin wounds can also be determined.

The transmission takes place through direct contact with infected animals or their carcasses. The preparation and the consumption of the pathogen -containing, insufficiently fitted meat also harbors an infection risk. Furthermore, transmission can take place through the consumption of contaminated water, inhaling contaminated dust or by the stitch or bite of infected, blood -sucking insects or ticks.

In animals, both a mild course and a epidemic event can occur with high mortality. In the case of rabbits, the disease is usually acute and leads to death within a few days. Typical symptoms here are shameful fur, an insecure passage, apathy and a loss of natural shyness. In the event of a chronic course, weakness, high -grade emaciation and skin changes occur.

Prevent infection

In order to prevent infection, unprotected contact with wild animals or cadavarians from wild animals should be avoided. One should be worn when handling disposable gloves and a respiratory protection mask (FFP2/ FFP3). The meat of rabbits and rabbits should be cooked well before eating. The pathogen is reliably killed by heat.

Since pets such as dogs and cats also fall ill and the disease can continue to transfer to humans, they should not have contact with field hares and wild rabbits. Material that has come into contact with potentially infected animals should be cleaned and disinfected to reduce the risk of transmission.

Anyone who finds a sick rabbit should be the « Center de Soins pour la faune sauvage » in Dudelingen Contact. Dead rabbits can be brought into the veterinary and grocery laboratory (LVA) for examination purposes. The laboratory should be called here, which can be reached under number 24 78 25 44.