Tularaemia

Tularaemia (also known as rabbit fever or deerfly fever) is an infectious disease in ticks and rabbits that is caused by a bacterium (Francisella tularensis). The disease is transmitted by 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 also may 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
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.

Diagnose and treatment: Blood test demonstrates the diagnose. Treatment with antibiotics is available.

Prevent tularaemia by:

Bite of an infected tick, deerfly, or mosquito
Wear protective rubber gloves when handling rodents

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