There has been an increase in cases of tularemia, an infectious disease also known as ‘rabbit fever’, in the US. The disease is caused by a bacterium called Francisella tularensis and can be spread to humans in various ways, such as through bites from infected ticks and deer flies, or contact with infected animals like rabbits, hares, and rodents. Surprisingly, even mowing over nests of infected animals can spread the bacteria.
There have been outbreaks of tularemia linked to lawn mowing incidents, leading to cases and even deaths. The CDC monitors this bacterium closely because it is classified as a Tier 1 Select Agent with bioterrorism potential. The disease can be deadly if not treated promptly.
Although tularemia is relatively rare compared to other illnesses like salmonella poisoning, the number of cases has increased in recent years. It can be challenging to diagnose due to varying symptoms, but awareness of how it spreads can help prevent exposure and early treatment. To learn more, you can read the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Vocabulary List:
- Tularemia /ˌtjuː.ləˈriː.mi.ə/ (noun): An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis often referred to as rabbit fever.
- Infectious /ɪnˈfɛk.ʃəs/ (adjective): Capable of causing infection; spread from one individual to another.
- Bacterium /bækˈtɪə.ri.əm/ (noun): A type of single-celled organism that can cause disease such as Francisella tularensis.
- Outbreak /ˈaʊt.breɪk/ (noun): A sudden rise in the incidence of a disease.
- Morbidity /mɔːrˈbɪd.ɪ.ti/ (noun): The condition of being diseased; often used in reference to the incidence of disease in a population.
- Bioterrorism /ˌbaɪ.oʊˈtɛr.ə.rɪ.zəm/ (noun): The use of biological agents such as pathogens or toxins to intimidate or coerce a population.
How much do you know?
What is another name for tularemia?
Which bacterium causes tularemia?
How can tularemia be spread to humans?
Why does the CDC closely monitor Francisella tularensis?
What can help prevent exposure to tularemia?
Why is diagnosing tularemia challenging?
Tularemia is primarily spread through contaminated food.
Tularemia is classified as a Tier 1 Select Agent by the CDC.
Mowing over nests of infected animals cannot spread the tularemia bacterium.
Tularemia is more common than salmonella poisoning.
Early treatment of tularemia is not vital for recovery.
Tularemia symptoms are consistent and easy to diagnose.
The CDC closely monitors this bacterium because it is classified as a Tier 1 Select Agent with potential.
Although tularemia is relatively rare compared to other illnesses like salmonella poisoning, the number of cases has in recent years.
It can be challenging to diagnose tularemia due to symptoms.
Awareness of how tularemia spreads can help prevent and early treatment.
Exposure to infected animals like rabbits, hares, and can spread tularemia.
