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Amid all the bird flu news, you may not have noticed similar stories in recent weeks about tularemia cases—otherwise known as "rabbit fever"—spiking across the country. The disease is caused by Francisella tularensis bacteria and typically makes its way to humans via tick or deer fly bites, as well as contact with infected animals such as rodents, prairie dogs, rabbits, and hares, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And with data now showing a 56 percent rise in cases in the U.S. over the past decade, it’s becoming more important to know the symptoms it can cause in humans.

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Reported tularemia infections are widespread, but most are concentrated.

The latest information comes from the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Report released on Jan. 2, which stated 2,462 reported "rabbit fever" infections from 2011-2022. Most cases were "among children aged 5–9 years, older men, and American Indian or Alaska Native persons."

Cases have also been widely dispersed geographically, with at least one reported in 47 states. However, half of all infections were seen in just four heartland states: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The agency notes that the recent uptick could be partly due to increased laboratory tests in recent years.

Scientists found a new mode of transmission.

While insect bites and direct animal exposure can sometimes lead the disease to jump over into human hosts, it’s not the only way. In 2000, a vineyard in Massachusetts reported a six-month-long outbreak that started when a lawnmower hit a nest of infected animals and aerosolized the bacteria, leading to 15 illnesses and one death, per Science Alert. More recent cases in Colorado were also traced back to a lawnmower incident.

The CDC designated the bacteria a "tier-1 select agent." The top risk level refers to organisms that "pose a severe threat to public health and safety" because they "present the greatest risk of deliberate misuse with significant potential for mass casualties or devastating effect to the economy, critical infrastructure, or public confidence," per the CDC’s biosafety plan.

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There is a wide range of "rabbit fever" symptoms you should look out for.

Tularemia infection can present itself differently in humans depending on its transmission. According to the CDC, the most common is an ulcer that develops on the site where it enters the body via tick or fly bite, as well as swelling of lymph nodes in the region. Sometimes, it may only be shown by glandular swelling—typically in the groin or armpits.

Swelling, redness, and irritation in the eyes can signal oculoglandular infection when someone has touched their eyes after butchering an infected animal. Those who ingest the bacteria via contaminated water or food can similarly develop sore throat, mouth ulcers, tonsillitis, and swelling of lymph glands in the neck.

The agency warns that most serious cases develop during pneumonic transmission, which occurs when someone breathes in the bacteria. Typically, this causes cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, but it can also occur if an infection spreads to the lungs from elsewhere in the body via the bloodstream.

Overall, the CDC notes that all forms are typically accompanied by a high fever that can reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit. It can also potentially be life-threatening.

"The case fatality rate of tularemia is typically less than two percent but can be higher depending on clinical manifestation and infecting strain," the CDC’s latest report notes, adding that the infection is treatable with antibiotics.

There are basic precautions you can take to protect yourself.

Fortunately, some simple steps can help reduce your risk of tularemia infection. The CDC suggests wearing pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks whenever hiking or camping to prevent fly and tick bites. Any attached ticks should be removed promptly with tweezers. The agency also warns against drinking any untreated surface water.

Those operating lawnmowers should try to avoid hitting any deceased animals or potential nests, checking for potential carcasses before beginning yard work. The CDC also says wearing a mask might help prevent inhaling aerosolized bacteria.

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The takeaway.

There has been an increase in tularemia infections over the past decade. Also known as “rabbit fever,” the disease is caused by a bacteria that can spread through contact with animals such as rabbits, hares, rodents, and prairie dogs; drinking water or food contaminated with the microorganisms; or breathing in aerosols that might be kicked up during landscaping or yard work.

Symptoms can vary depending on how the bacteria is contracted but typically involve a high fever along with ulcers on the skin, in the mouth, or in the eyes, and regional swelling of thyroid glands. Pneumatic infection can cause cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. The CDC recommends that anyone who notices these symptoms after potentially coming into contact with an infected animal to seek out medical attention immediately.

Daydreaming of a winter escape? A cruise to the Bahamas or Caribbean might sound perfect right now, but snowbirds should proceed with caution. Carnival Cruise Line, one of the most popular big-ship lines for international travel, is making major financial changes this year—one of which will negatively impact AARP members. Plus, Carnival guests should plan to tip more and bigger in 2025.

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Carnival Cruise Line discontinued its gift card program with AARP.

Until recently, AARP members could snag Carnival Cruise Line gift cards at a reduced price. The program offered gift certificates at a 10 percent discount to folks over the age of 50, but that ended after a sequence of price adjustments during the latter half of 2024.

In November, Carnival Cruise Line reduced its discount from 10 percent to eight percent, as reported by Cruise Hive. That means a $100 gift card went from costing $90 to $92 for AARP patrons. A month later, Carnival Cruise Line implemented another price adjustment, reducing the discount to just five percent. Now, in 2025, Carnival Cruise Line has discontinued its gift card program with AARP altogether.

An AARP Consumer Care representative confirmed the news while answering member questions via the AARP Online Community forum.

“Carnival Cruise Lines decided to discontinue offering their gift cards through the AARP Rewards Program. We understand that this may be disappointing news, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We remain committed to providing you with valuable rewards and appreciate your understanding,” they wrote.

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Carnival Cruise Line implemented a new tipping policy.

Effective immediately, an onboard gratuity fee will be automatically charged to all Carnival Cruise Line bookings. Tips will be split among “stateroom attendants, dining and culinary services staff, as well as other members of the onboard team who work behind the scenes,” per the new policy.

“It is customary for our guests to extend gratuities to the shipboard staff in appreciation for their hard work and exceptional service,” says Carnival Cruise Line. “Applying this charge automatically streamlines the recognition process and ensures our crew will share in your generosity.”

The fee will apply to all guests, but the amount will vary by room package and additional services. The new gratuity rates are as follows:

• Standard Staterooms will have a daily $16 tipping fee per person (over the age of 2)
• Suite Staterooms will have a daily $18 tipping fee per person (also 2 years or older)
• An 18 percent charge will be added to beverage purchases
• Restaurant reservation fees will have an 18 percent service charge on top of additional bill gratuity

Stateroom tipping fees can be prepaid at the time of booking or at the end of your stay, per the updated guidelines. However, if guests are unsatisfied with their experience and wish to adjust the gratuity fee, they may do so while speaking with Guest Services onboard the ship. Changes will not be allowed once a guest disembarks the vessel.

Cognitive function is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of mental processes, including problem-solving, memory, decision-making, reasoning, and even intuition. As the brain ages, the ability to perform cognitive tasks can begin to deteriorate. This is why many people choose to pick up a new skill or language or play games like Sudoku or logic puzzles. However, researchers now say that adopting a certain diet can also lead to better brain health.

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Diets high in fat can lead to cognitive decline.

A healthy microbiome indicates that your body is adequately absorbing nutrients and vitamins and discarding harmful pathogens. It also supports the immune system, your body’s first line of defense against viruses and germs. Regular exercise and stress management can help keep your gut biome well-balanced, but it mostly comes down to diet.

A new study published in the journal Gut Microbes Reports found that diet impacts the gut microbiota by 57 percent. Furthermore, a typical Western diet (think: processed foods, red meat, refined grains, and dairy products high in saturated fat) can cause a build-up of inflammation in the gut and brain, resulting in "poor cognitive function."

"We've known that what we eat affects brain function, but this study explores how that could be happening," said lead author Rebecca Solch-Ottaiano, PhD, neurology research instructor at Tulane’s Clinical Neuroscience Research Center, in a press release. “Our findings suggest that dietary choices can influence cognitive performance by reshaping the gut microbiome."

Following a Mediterranean diet is linked to "better cognitive flexibility" and "improved working memory."

Conversely, the Mediterranean diet, a nutrient-dense meal plan that focuses on plant-based foods, can improve your gut biome, leading to better brain health.

The researchers used rats equivalent to 18-year-old humans. The rodents followed a Mediterranean-style diet, with an emphasis on olive oil, fish, and fiber, for 14 weeks. From weeks 14 to 17, researchers collected waste samples and conducted behavioral assessments (maze challenges that tested the rats’ short- and long-term memory and learning capabilities).

Although limited to animals, researchers saw a noticeable difference in memory performance among Mediterranean dieters compared with rats following a Western diet. “Specifically, higher levels of bacteria such as Candidatus Saccharimonas were associated with better cognitive performance, while increased levels of other bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium, correlated with poorer memory function,” the press release explains.

Additionally, the Mediterranean diet group averaged healthier cholesterol levels.

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5 tips for following a Mediterranean diet.

Consuming plant-based foods and healthy fats, including vegetables, fruits, olive oil, and whole grains, can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, says Cleveland Clinic. The Mediterranean diet challenges folks to limit red meat and sweets to one serving per week, with only a single daily serving of poultry and low-fat dairy products. According to the study’s authors, there are five key components to mastering the Mediterranean diet:

• Olive oil is the primary source of fat
• Lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains
• Swap red meat for fish and other lean proteins
• Ditch foods high in saturated fats
• Up your fiber intake via different plant-based foods

The takeaway.