University at Albany Prevention Research Center

TULAREMIA

Infectious Agent

Gram negative rod-shaped bacteria called Francisella Tularensis (F. Tularensis)
More Information On Infectious Agent at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC
Images at CDC

Clinical Symptoms

The symptoms commonly seen are fever, cough, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin lesions. Infection of the lymph nodes are also common. The various clinical syndromes caused by F. Tularensis include Pneumonic, Glandular/Ulceroglandular, Oculoglandular, Oropharyngeal & Typhoidal Tularemia.
(To View Syndrome Specific Information at CIDRAP, Click on the Syndrome Names)
More Information On Clinical Symptoms at CIDRAP , NYSDOH & CDC
Images at CDC

Epidemiology

Reservoirs - Small to medium sized mammals such as rabbits, hares, squirrels etc. are the principal natural reservoirs with humans, other mammals (cats, dogs, cattle), some bird species, fish and amphibians being incidental hosts.

Vectors - Arthropod vectors such as ticks, mosquitoes and biting flies.

Mode of Transmission - are as follows
- Vector bites
- Handling of infected animal tissues/fluids
- Ingestion of contaminated food or water
- Direct contact with contaminated soil or water
- Inhalation of infected aerosol
- Laboratory exposure
No person-to-person transmission has been documented

Incubation Period - On an average 3 to 5 days, but depends on the virulence of the infecting strain (range being 1 to 14 days).
More Information On Epidemiology at CIDRAP & CDC

Tularemia as a Bioterrorism weapon

The most likely mechanism would be via infected aerosols and would be expected to cause the various clinical syndromes of Tularemia. A bioterrorist attack of Tularemia is expected to have the following features -
- Individuals with no risk factors for Tualremia showing the disease
- Urban areas affected more than the rural areas
- A shorter incubation period as in a bioterrorist attack, a highly virulent strain is likely to be used.

More Information On Tularemia as a Bioterrorism Weapon at CIDRAP & CDC

Prevention & Control

Person-to-person transmission of tularemia has not been documented; therefore, Standard Precautions are considered adequate for patients with tularemia. Standard Precautions include handwashing, protecting exposed body parts (gloves, masks, gowns, eye protection, face shields) and patient care equipment to avoid infection from blood, secretions, fluids, excretions and contaminated items. Decontamination using bleach is also adequate protection against F. Tularensis.
More Information Prevention & Control Of Tularemia at CIDRAP , NYSDOH & CDC

Click here for Information on

Naturally Occurring Tularemia at CIDRAP & CDC

Laboratory Diagnosis at CIDRAP , NYSDOH & CDC
Treatment Information at CIDRAP , NYSDOH & CDC

Additional Sources of Information

- Visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Tularemia Home Page
- Visit Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) for Tularemia Information


Category A Anthrax Botulism Plague Smallpox Tularemia Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Category B Brucellosis Glanders Melioidosis Psittacosis Q Fever Typhus Fever Viral Encephalitis Toxins Food Safety Water Safety Category C Nipah Hanta Virus Other Important Zoonotic Diseases Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Rift Valley Fever Virus Handra Virus West Nile Fever	TULAREMIA Infectious Agent Gram negative rod-shaped bacteria called Francisella Tularensis (F. Tularensis) More Information On Infectious Agent at CIDRAP, NYSDOH & CDC Images at CDC Clinical Symptoms The symptoms commonly seen are fever, cough, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin lesions. Infection of the lymph nodes are also common. The various clinical syndromes caused by F. Tularensis include Pneumonic, Glandular/Ulceroglandular, Oculoglandular, Oropharyngeal & Typhoidal Tularemia. (To View Syndrome Specific Information at CIDRAP, Click on the Syndrome Names) More Information On Clinical Symptoms at CIDRAP , NYSDOH & CDC Images at CDC Epidemiology Reservoirs - Small to medium sized mammals such as rabbits, hares, squirrels etc. are the principal natural reservoirs with humans, other mammals (cats, dogs, cattle), some bird species, fish and amphibians being incidental hosts. Vectors - Arthropod vectors such as ticks, mosquitoes and biting flies. Mode of Transmission - are as follows - Vector bites - Handling of infected animal tissues/fluids - Ingestion of contaminated food or water - Direct contact with contaminated soil or water - Inhalation of infected aerosol - Laboratory exposure No person-to-person transmission has been documented Incubation Period - On an average 3 to 5 days, but depends on the virulence of the infecting strain (range being 1 to 14 days). More Information On Epidemiology at CIDRAP & CDC Tularemia as a Bioterrorism weapon The most likely mechanism would be via infected aerosols and would be expected to cause the various clinical syndromes of Tularemia. A bioterrorist attack of Tularemia is expected to have the following features - - Individuals with no risk factors for Tualremia showing the disease - Urban areas affected more than the rural areas - A shorter incubation period as in a bioterrorist attack, a highly virulent strain is likely to be used. More Information On Tularemia as a Bioterrorism Weapon at CIDRAP & CDC Prevention & Control Person-to-person transmission of tularemia has not been documented; therefore, Standard Precautions are considered adequate for patients with tularemia. Standard Precautions include handwashing, protecting exposed body parts (gloves, masks, gowns, eye protection, face shields) and patient care equipment to avoid infection from blood, secretions, fluids, excretions and contaminated items. Decontamination using bleach is also adequate protection against F. Tularensis. More Information Prevention & Control Of Tularemia at CIDRAP , NYSDOH & CDC Click here for Information on Naturally Occurring Tularemia at CIDRAP & CDC Laboratory Diagnosis at CIDRAP , NYSDOH & CDC Treatment Information at CIDRAP , NYSDOH & CDC Additional Sources of Information - Visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Tularemia Home Page - Visit Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) for Tularemia Information
Created by the School of Public Health University at Albany Updated July 2004