Public Health Advisory: Tularemia Published Aug. 25, 2015 28th Medical Group Public Health ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- The 28th Medical Group Public Health office has an updated Public Health Advisory regarding Tularemia. According to a state health official in Pierre, South Dakota, Tularemia, or rabbit fever, is on the rise, with seven cases reported in the Black Hills region since June 2015. Six of the South Dakota cases were adults over the age of 50 and one was under the age of five. The bacterium that causes tularemia is highly infectious and can enter the human body through the skin, eyes, mouth, throat, or lungs. Two ways that tularemia is transmitted are biting deer flies and ticks. The full advisory may be found by clicking here. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control or contact the 28th MDG Public Health office at (605) 385-3383.