deer fly fever
Noun: A highly infectious bacterial disease that primarily affects wild rodents (especially rabbits and squirrels) and can be transmitted to humans. Transmission occurs through the bites of infected ticks or deer flies, or by handling infected animal carcasses. The disease is also known by its scientific name, tularaemia (or tularemia).
The term "deer fly fever" is used specifically in medical, veterinary, and public health contexts to describe this zoonotic infection. It often appears in discussions about wildlife diseases, epidemiology, and outdoor safety. - Hunters are advised to wear gloves to prevent deer fly fever when cleaning rabbits. - The doctor suspected deer fly fever after the patient reported a tick bite and flu-like symptoms.
- As a subject of study: The term is used in scientific literature and health advisories.
- Research into deer fly fever has increased due to its potential as a bioterrorism agent.
- Tularaemia / Tularemia (n): The primary scientific and medical name for the same disease. This is the more common term in formal contexts.
- The laboratory confirmed a case of tularemia.
- Rabbit fever (n): A common colloquial name for the same illness, highlighting its association with rabbits.
- "Rabbit fever" is another name for deer fly fever.
- Tularaemia / Tularemia: The formal synonym.
- Rabbit fever: An informal, descriptive synonym.
The name "deer fly fever" specifically references one common vector of transmission—the deer fly. However, the disease is identical to conditions referred to as tularaemia or rabbit fever, regardless of the specific method of transmission (e.g., tick bite, handling animals, contaminated water).
- a highly infectious disease of rodents (especially rabbits and squirrels) and sometimes transmitted to humans by ticks or flies or by handling infected animals