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Tularaemia

Tularaemia (also known as rabbit fever or deerfly fever) is a zoonosis but can also be waterborne, airborne or contracted via insect bites. It is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which can infect many animals, especially small rodents, rabbits and hares. The disease is transmitted in two common ways:
• From the bite of an infected tick, deerfly, or mosquito.
• When broken skin (cuts, abrasions) comes into direct contact with an infected rabbit carcass
Although uncommon, people may also contract tularaemia by inhaling contaminated dust or by ingesting contaminated meats or water. Human-to-human transmission of tularaemia is uncommon.

Manifestations: Patients will develop:
• Ulcer at the site of infection
• Sore Throat
• Tonsillitis
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Severe fever
Patients with the less common form of tularaemia, which occurs mainly after inhalation of bacteria, typically experience:
• Sudden chills
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Abdominal pains
• Tiredness
• Headaches.
Patients with this form of tularaemia may develop an unusual pneumonia that can be fatal.

Diagnosis and treatment: Taking a blood test will diagnose the infection. Tularaemia may be successfully treated with specific antibiotics. There is a vaccine but it does not appear to be protective against airborne disease.

Prevent tularaemia by:
• Ensure your surroundings are clean, so as not to encourage rats and other potential carriers.
• Any water should be boiled if used for personal consumption or food preparation
• Any food should be protected from animals and cooked thoroughly.
• Wear protective rubber gloves when handling rodents