What is tularemia?

Tularemia is an illness caused by a bacterium, Francisella tularensis, which can affect both animals and humans. F. tularensis is on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list of possible bioterrorism agents.

How is tularemia spread?

• The most common way tularemia is spread is by the bite of an infected blood-sucking insect such as a deerfly or tick.
• Another way people become infected with tularemia is by getting blood or tissue from infected animals (especially rabbits) in their eyes, mouth, or in cuts or scratches on the skin.
• Tularemia can also be spread by handling or eating rabbit meat that is not cooked thoroughly.
• Drinking contaminated water or breathing dust containing the bacteria can cause a tularemia infection.
• Person to person spread does not occur.
• In a biological attack, tularemia would be spread through an aerosol release of the bacteria.

What are the symptoms of tularemia?

The usual symptoms are:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Chest pain
• Coughing

Infected with tularemia by the bite of an infected insect or from bacteria entering a cut or scratch may cause:

• Skin ulcer
• Swollen glands

Eating or drinking food or water containing the bacteria may cause:

• Sore throat
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Breathing dust containing the bacteria may cause a pneumonia-like illness.

Is there a treatment for tularemia?

Doctors can prescribe antibiotics for tularemia. To be effective, treatment should be started early. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

Is there a vaccine for tularemia?

A tularemia vaccine is currently under investigation, but is not available to the general public.

Should I buy a gas mask?

Purchasing a gas mask is not currently recommended for the following reasons:

• If an attack occurs, the types of agents and concentrations are unknown and therefore it is almost impossible to accurately select a mask.
• Gas masks may reduce, but do not eliminate exposure to chemical or biological agents. They do not eliminate the risk of infection.
• There may be no obvious warning in the event of a biological or chemical attack, so you would not be able to determine when to put the mask on.
• Gas masks may help protect your lungs, however, some chemical agents may be absorbed through the skin or eyes.
• Negative pressure masks can be dangerous for children or people with respiratory problems.

Should I have my own supply of antibiotics?

There is currently no justification for stockpiling antibiotics. Antibiotics could cause side effects and should only be taken with medical supervision.

There are a number of different germs a bioterrorist might use to carry out an attack. Many antibiotics are effective for a variety of diseases, but there isn’t one antibiotic that is effective against all diseases.

Thus, no single pill can protect against all types of biological weapon attacks. Keeping a supply of antibiotics on hand poses other problems because the antibiotics have a limited “shelf life” before they lose their strength.

How can I protect my family or myself?

Local, state and federal government agencies have been active in preparing responses to chemical, biological and nuclear threats.

In the event of a credible tularemia threat, appropriate measures will be taken to protect the health of the public. Individuals are strongly cautioned against stockpiling antibiotics or self-medicating in order to prevent tularemia.

Where can I get more information?

Contact your physician or the Southern Nevada Health District, Office of Epidemiology at (702) 759-1300.

Additional information about tularemia can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_tularemia.htm.