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Alternative names Return to top
Deerfly fever; Rabbit feverDefinition Return to top
Tularemia is an infection common in wild rodents caused by the organism Francisella tularensis and transmitted to humans by contact with animal tissues or ticks.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Humans can contract tularemia in the following ways:
Endemic areas (areas where the disorder occurs most commonly) include North America and parts of Europe and Asia. The illness may continue for several weeks after the onset of symptoms.
Some people may develop an atypical pneumonia. Risk factors include recent exposure to rabbits or recent a tick bite. The disease is very rare in the United States.
Francisella tularensis is considered a potential bioterrorism agent. An aerosol release would be the most likely method and would result in a large number of pneumonia cases several weeks after exposure.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection with antibiotic therapy. Streptomycin and tetracycline are commonly used in this infection.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Tularemia is fatal in about 5% of untreated cases and in less than 1% with treatment.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if symptoms develop after a rodent bite, tick bite, or exposure to the flesh of a wild animal.Prevention Return to top
A vaccine is recommended for people at high risk (trappers, hunters, and laboratory workers who work with the organism). Update Date: 7/16/2004 Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |