26 - Tularemia

Question 1

(tularemia)

Identify routes of transmission

Answer 1

• Contact with infected animals or carcasses (usually rabbits, muskrat – 2% cat bite)
• Contaminated food, water, soil
• Aersol (lab accidents, ag dusts)

Question 2

(tularemia)

Describe types of activities that put people at risk

Answer 2

Lab worker, farmer, vet, sheep handler, hunter/trapper, cook/meat handler

Question 3

(tularemia)

Describe the clinical syndrome in humans

Answer 3

Humans: initial presentation nonspecific, abrupt fever/chills/headache/lethargy/sore throat, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly

Question 4

(tularemia)

Describe the clinical syndrome in companion animals

Answer 4

Question 5

(tularemia)

Identify preventive practices that reduce the risk of infection

Answer 5

General: avoid tick-infested areas, protective clothing/repellents/tick checks, wear gloves when handling carcasses, cook wild game thoroughly

In Clinic: educate clients to keep cats indoors, use tick repellants on dogs and cats

Use gloves, masks, protective eye-cover
If suspect (handle with care – ulcers, drainage from wound, eyes)

Question 6

What makes Tularemia a potential bioterrorism agent?

Answer 6

aersol transmission and low infectious dose (10-50)