Health officials in Suffolk County are warning residents to be especially careful around ticks this summer after three probable cases of tularemia were reported on Long Island. The illness, sometimes called rabbit fever, is a rare infectious disease, and the reported cases have put added attention on seasonal tick risks in the area.
According to the alert, the cases are considered probable rather than confirmed. Even so, the reports are significant because tularemia is uncommon, and public health officials are using them to remind people that tick exposure can lead to serious illness.
The Suffolk County warning comes as warmer weather increases time spent outdoors, when contact with ticks is more likely. Officials are urging people to stay vigilant during the summer months as part of a broader effort to reduce the risk of tick-borne disease on Long Island.
The reported tularemia cases highlight how local health agencies track unusual infections and notify the public when patterns emerge. In Suffolk County, the latest alert centers on awareness, with tularemia now part of the summer health concerns tied to ticks in the region.
