Home >Bioterrorism >Tularemia
FAQs about Tularemia
- What is tularemia?
- Tularemia is a bacterial disease caused by Francisella tularensis that infects both animals and man. Although infection occurs among many wild and domestic animals, the rabbit is most often involved in disease outbreaks.
- Who gets tularemia?
- Hunters or other people who spend a great deal of time outdoors are at greater risk for exposure to tularemia.
- How is tularemia spread?
- The common sources of exposure include inoculation of the skin or mucous membranes with blood or tissue while handling infected animals, meat from other infected animals, bites from infected ticks or biting flies, and handling or eating insufficiently cooked rabbit meat. Less common means of spread are drinking contaminated water, inhaling dust from contaminated soil, or handling contaminated pelts or paws of animals.
- What are the symptoms of tularemia?
- The symptoms of tularemia depend on whether the bacteria enters through the skin, gastrointestinal tract, or lungs. Tularemia is usually recognized by the presence of an ulcerative lesion and swollen glands. Ingestion of the organism may produce a throat infection, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Inhalation of the organism may produce a pneumonia-like illness.
- How soon after infection do symptoms appear?
- Symptoms generally appear within 1 to 14 days, but usually within 3 to 5 days.
- How is tularemia diagnosed?
- Tularemia is usually diagnosed by an antibody test.
- What is the treatment for tularemia?
- Certain antibiotics, such as streptomycin or gentamicin, are effective in treating tularemia.
- How can tularemia be prevented?
- Rubber gloves should be worn while skinning or handling animals, especially rabbits. Wild rabbit and rodent meat should be cooked thoroughly before eating. Avoid bites of deer flies and ticks and avoid drinking, bathing, swimming or working in untreated water.