Tularemia is a disease that can affect people as well as many wild and domestic animals. It is caused by Francisella tularensis bacteria, which produce toxins in the blood.
The bacteria can survive for weeks to months in moist environments.
In North America, tularemia is most often found in wild animals such as rabbits, beavers, muskrats, and meadow voles. In Europe and Asia, it is also seen in field mice, voles, and lemmings. Sheep are the domestic animals most commonly affected, though infection can also occur in dogs, cats, pigs, and horses. Dogs are relatively resistant, so infection is rare.
People and animals can become infected through several routes, most commonly through the bite of a tick that has bitten an infected animal. Other routes include handling infected animals while hunting, inhaling contaminated dust or droplets, eating undercooked infected meat, or drinking contaminated water. Cats can occasionally spread infection through bites if they have recently eaten infected prey.
In animals, signs can include sudden high fever, swollen lymph nodes, lack of energy, poor appetite, and heavy tick infestation. Other possible signs include stiffness, decreased movement, increased heart and breathing rates, coughing, diarrhea, and frequent urination. In severe cases, collapse and death can occur quickly, though mild or unnoticed infections can also happen.
Treatment is with antibiotics. Early treatment improves survival but might need to continue for an extended period.
Prevention focuses on decreasing tick exposure and prompt diagnosis. Animals that recover usually develop long-lasting immunity to reinfection.
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