The Miesbach district office has assessed the situation and issued its evaluation.
Two Tularaemia Cases Reported in Neighboring Munich District, No Incidents in Miesbach So Far
In Holzkirchen, local authorities were on alert after two cases of tularaemia were reported in the adjacent Munich district. This bacterial disease is colloquially known as “rabbit fever” because wild animals, especially hares, are considered its primary carriers. However, biting insects such as horseflies and ticks can also transmit the pathogen to humans. In the recent cases, health officials believe that tick bites were the source of infection.
For the Miesbach district, no cases have been detected so far. According to the district office, there have been no reported infections in either humans or animals in the region for the past ten to fifteen years.
Caution Still Advised Despite No Current Cases
Despite the current absence of infections, the veterinary office has not issued a complete all-clear. “It is generally possible that the pathogens could spread from the Munich district to Miesbach,” the authority said in response to an inquiry. The risk exists because ticks, wild hares, and other small mammals can travel considerable distances. However, the number of wild hares in the Miesbach district is relatively low, making the spread through these animals less likely.
Other animal species such as mice, birds, or amphibians can also be susceptible to tularaemia. Additionally, horseflies, ticks, and mosquitoes, which are common in nature, can serve as vectors. Contaminated water or dust containing mouse droppings may also pose an infection risk.
Public Advised to Avoid Direct Contact with Wild Animals and Carcasses
The district office has strongly advised hunters, forest visitors, and hikers to avoid unprotected contact with diseased or dead wild animals, especially during the gutting or skinning of game. When preparing wild game meat, suitable protective measures such as wearing gloves and respiratory masks as well as maintaining proper hygiene should be observed. Game meat should only be consumed when thoroughly cooked.
For individuals spending time outdoors—whether hiking, walking, or gardening—the authority recommended wearing long clothing and using insect and tick repellents to reduce the risk of bites or stings.
Typical Symptoms of Tularaemia Infection
Tularaemia infection in humans usually presents with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and general fatigue. “The first symptoms typically appear about three to five days after contact with the pathogen,” the district office reported.
Depending on the route of infection, different clinical forms of the disease may develop. After a tick bite or skin contact, a painful skin ulcer with swollen lymph nodes often appears. Infection through the eye usually leads to conjunctivitis in one eye. If the bacteria enter the body through the mouth, symptoms may include greatly enlarged lymph nodes, throat inflammation, and tonsillitis. Inhalation of the pathogen can cause coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
Good Prognosis for Humans but Poor Outlook for Wildlife
The reassuring news is that tularaemia remains rare in humans in Bavaria and is generally treatable with antibiotics. The two infected individuals from the Munich district are already recovering, according to the local district office. Statistically, it would have been more likely for the ticks to transmit Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).
However, the prognosis for wild animals is far worse: infected hares and other animals usually succumb to the disease quickly—too rapidly for the pathogen to spread widely among their populations.
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