Tularemia: Should we be aware of this rare disease transmitted by animals?

Are you someone who enjoys walking in the woods, gardening, or playing with a pet? If so, today we are talking about a rare but important disease that we can contract from animals, soil, or insects. This disease is called tularemia. It is sometimes called "rabbit fever." Don't worry, although it is not very common in Sri Lanka, it is very important to be aware of it.

Simply put, what is Tularemia?

Tularemia is an infection caused by a bacterium called `(Francisella tularensis)`. This is not a naturally occurring disease among humans. This bacterium lives mostly in the bodies of animals, in soil and water. This disease is most common in small animals such as rabbits and squirrels, birds, and sheep. Pets such as dogs and cats in our homes can also get it. This bacterium can live for weeks in soil, water, or on the bodies of dead animals. That is why it can be transmitted to us in various ways.

How does this disease spread to us?

This disease is very rarely transmitted from one person to another. However, you can get it in the following ways:

• Insect bites: Insects like fleas and ticks can transmit the disease if they bite an infected animal and then bite you.
• By touching infected animals : If you touch an infected animal (living or dead), or if you touch the meat or fur of that animal.
• Through contaminated food or water: By drinking water contaminated with bacteria or eating undercooked meat from an infected animal.
• By inhalation: By inhaling bacteria that come up from the soil during activities such as gardening and clearing land.
• From pets: It can be transmitted through saliva from your dog or cat that has been in contact with an infected animal.

Different types and symptoms of tularemia

The symptoms and nature of the disease can vary depending on how the bacteria enter the body. Symptoms usually begin to appear between 3 and 5 days after the bacteria enter the body, but sometimes it can take up to two weeks. Let's explain this further in the table below.

Who is at greater risk?

Although this is a rare disease, some people are more at risk than others. You may be at slightly higher risk if you:

• People who work in jobs that involve frequent contact with animals and soil, such as farmers, veterinarians, landscapers, and wildlife officers .
• People who hunt as a hobby or as a job.
• People who eat animal meat raw or undercooked.
• People who spend a lot of time outdoors in the forest.
• People with weakened immune systems (e.g., diabetes, cancer patients).

How is the disease diagnosed and treated?

Tularemia can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms can be similar to other common illnesses, such as pneumonia and influenza. It is therefore important to tell your doctor about your symptoms. Your doctor will examine you and, if necessary, recommend the following tests:

• Blood tests: Check for antibodies that the body makes against the bacteria.
• Biopsy: Taking a small piece of tissue from a skin lesion or swelling for examination.
• Swab tests: A sample is taken from the throat or nose and tested.
• Chest X-ray: To check for lung infection (pneumonia).

What are the treatments?

Since this is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are given as treatment. These can be given as pills or injections. It is very important to use the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor for the full course. If you stop taking them halfway, the disease may return.

How can you protect yourself from this disease?

The best thing to do is to stay safe from this disease. You can do these simple things to help:

• Do not try to catch dead or sick wild animals.
• If you are going to a forest, a swamp, or any place where ticks or fleas may be present , wear clothing that covers your body well .
• Use insect repellents .
• Give your pets medication to protect them from ticks, and always keep them clean.
• If you eat wild animal meat, cook it well .
• Wear gloves when working outdoors, especially when working with soil.
• Drink only clean water .

Tularemia, animal-borne diseases, ticks, bacterial infections, skin lesions, fever