What is tularemia?

Tularemia is a bacterial disease caused by Francisella tularensis which produces an acute febrile illness in humans. Francisella is maintained in nature in a cycle involving vertebrate hosts (often rabbits and other rodents) and arthropod vectors (mainly ticks and deer flies).

Who gets tularemia?

Anyone can get tularemia.

How do people get tularemia?

Tularemia may be spread in a variety of ways. The disease may be transmitted through the bite of ticks (wood, dog and lone star types) and deer flies; through contact with contaminated water, blood or tissue while handling carcasses of infected animals (for example, skinning or dressing animals); through eating insufficiently cooked meat of infected animals; or through inhalation of dust from contaminated soil, hay or grain.

Where is tularemia found?

Tularemia occurs throughout North America and in many parts of continental Europe, the former Soviet Union, China and Japan. In the U.S., it occurs in all months of the year; incidence may be higher in adults in early winter during rabbit hunting season and in children during the summer when ticks and deer flies are abundant.

What are the symptoms of tularemia?

Symptoms usually include fever, chills, malaise and muscle aches. Additional symptom presentations
vary, depending on the route of introduction of the bacteria. Skin exposure (such as from handling infected animals) may result in skin ulcers and swollen, painful glands: this is the most common presentation of tularemia. Drinking or eating contaminated food or water may produce a painful sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Inhalation of infectious material may present with pneumonia- like symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, chest pain).

How soon do symptoms occur?

Symptoms most commonly occur after three to five days but can occur as quickly as one day or as long as 21 days after exposure.

How is tularemia diagnosed?

The diagnosis is based on the clinical symptoms and on a blood test.

What is the treatment for tularemia ?

Tularemia is effectively treated with antibiotics.

How long is an infected person infectious to others?

Infected persons cannot transmit tularemia to other people.

How can tularemia be prevented?

• Use waterproof gloves when skinning or handling animals, especially rabbits.
  
• Cook the meat of wild rabbits and rodents thoroughly.
  
• Protective clothing, tick-repellant chemicals and the removal of ticks at frequent intervals are helpful measures to avoid being bitten by an infected tick.
  
• Avoid drinking, bathing, swimming or working in untreated water where infection prevails among wild animals.

Sources

• Control of Communicable Diseases Manual

Surveillance Case Definition