**April 5, 2025 – Luxembourg City, Luxembourg**
A rare case of tularemia, commonly known as “rabbit fever,” has been reported in Luxembourg, linked to a recent hunting expedition near the Moselle River. The Luxembourg Ministry of Health confirmed the diagnosis yesterday after a 42-year-old hunter sought medical attention for fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes—classic symptoms of the bacterial infection caused by *Francisella tularensis*. This marks the first documented human case of tularemia in the Grand Duchy since 2019, sparking concern among local hunters and health officials.
The hunter, whose identity remains confidential, had been part of a group pursuing small game, including rabbits and hares, on March 29, 2025. According to initial reports, he likely contracted the disease while skinning a rabbit, a common transmission route for tularemia. The bacteria can enter through cuts in the skin, inhalation of contaminated dust, or ingestion of undercooked meat. “I didn’t think much of it at first,” the man told local media anonymously. “But a few days later, I felt like I’d been hit by a truck.” Doctors at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg diagnosed him with the ulceroglandular form of tularemia after finding an ulcer on his hand and confirming the infection through blood tests.
Tularemia is exceedingly rare in Luxembourg, with the country typically seeing fewer than one case per year due to its small size and limited wildlife reservoirs. The disease is more common in northern Europe, particularly Sweden and Finland, where annual cases number in the hundreds. In Luxembourg, ticks and small mammals like rabbits and rodents serve as the primary carriers, though human infections are sporadic. Health officials suspect this case may be tied to a recent uptick in rabbit populations near the German border, possibly fueled by mild winter conditions.
Dr. Marie Leclerc, an infectious disease specialist with the Ministry of Health, emphasized that while tularemia is serious, it’s treatable with antibiotics like doxycycline or streptomycin if caught early. “The patient is responding well to treatment and should recover fully,” she said at a press briefing. “We’re urging hunters to wear gloves when handling game and to cook meat thoroughly. This is a preventable illness with the right precautions.”
The incident has prompted the Luxembourg Hunting Federation to issue an advisory to its members, reinforcing safety protocols during hunts. “We’re reminding everyone to be vigilant,” said federation spokesperson Paul Weber. “It’s rare, but it’s a wake-up call.” Environmental teams have also been dispatched to test local wildlife and water sources near the hunting site for *F. tularensis*, though results are pending.
While tularemia isn’t contagious between humans, its potential severity—it can lead to pneumonia or systemic infection if untreated—has raised eyebrows. The case comes amid broader discussions about zoonotic diseases in Europe, with hunting and outdoor activities increasingly flagged as risk factors. For now, Luxembourg’s hunters are on alert, and the infected man’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers lurking in the wild.