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TULAREMIA What is tularemia? Tularemia is a naturally occurring illness caused by a bacterium called Francisella tularensis. These bacteria can be found in certain animals (especially rodents, rabbits and hares). About 100 to 200 cases are reported every year in the United States. Tularemia can cause six different forms of disease; however, up to 80 percent of the cases are “ulceroglandular” (skin ulcers and swollen lymph glands) and are the result of direct contact with infected animals. How can someone come into contact with tularemia? Tularemia is not known to spread from person to person. People can come into contact with tularemia by—
Tularemia as a weapon: If the tularemia bacterium is used as a weapon, it most likely would be aerosolized and released into the air. The victims would breathe in the bacteria. Please note: Just because you come into contact with tularemia does not mean you will get sick from it. What happens if someone gets sick from tularemia?
People also can catch pneumonia, and develop chest pain and bloody mucus. They can have trouble breathing. They can even stop breathing. Symptoms may gradually worsen from weeks to months after contact with the bacteria. How likely is someone to die from tularemia? What is the treatment for tularemia? Antibiotics are used to treat tularemia.
People who are sick from tularemia do not need to be isolated. Is there a vaccine for tularemia? No, a vaccine is not currently available in the United States. A vaccine is under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. What should be done if someone comes into contact with tularemia? If you think that you or someone you know may have come into contact with tularemia bacteria, contact the local county health department right away. (Visit http://www.idph.state.il.us/local/alpha.htm for a listing of all county health departments in Illinois or check your local phone book.) If you or someone you know is showing symptoms of tularemia, call your health care provider or the Illinois Poison Center right away. The toll-free number for the poison center is 1-800-222-1222. Where can one get more information about tularemia? U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/ tularemia/index.asp Illinois Department of Public Health |