Tularemia is an acute infectious disease of natural focal occurrence, characterised by symptoms of general intoxication, fever, lesions of the skin, lymph nodes, mucous membranes, lungs, intestines, eyes, and can have a prolonged course.

The reservoir and source of infection in tularemia are various species of wild and synanthropic rodents (muskrats, hares, water rats, voles, hamsters, mice, etc.), as well as domestic animals (pigs, sheep, cattle).

Vectors of infection that maintain the existence of the pathogen in natural foci are blood-sucking insects (ixodid and gamasid ticks, mosquitoes, horseflies).

Modes of transmission:

Transmissive – as a result of bites by infected blood-sucking arthropods (mosquitoes, horseflies, ticks);

Contact – through damaged and intact skin and mucous membranes upon contact with sick or deceased rodents and hares, domestic animals;

Alimentary – through the consumption of food and water (well water and other open water bodies) contaminated with the tularemia pathogen from sick rodents;

Aspiration – by inhaling airborne dust aerosols formed during the processing of grain, or the handling of hay and straw contaminated with secretions from sick rodents containing the tularemia pathogen.

From the moment of infection to the appearance of the first signs of the disease, it usually takes 3 to 7 days, with variations up to 2-3 weeks. The disease begins acutely with a temperature rise to 38-40°C, chills, severe headache, weakness, muscle pain (mostly in the lumbar region and calf muscles). On the 2nd-3rd day, the lymph nodes in the area where the pathogen entered the body enlarge (in the neck, ears, armpits, groin, or other areas). Angina, eye diseases, and prolonged complicated pneumonia in the winter period may be observed. The disease usually lasts 2-3 weeks (sometimes longer), and in rare cases, it can recur.

A person who has recovered from tularemia retains lifelong immunity to this disease. A sick person is not dangerous to others.

To protect yourself and your loved ones, observe the following measures:

    • carry out rodent and insect control measures, create conditions that prevent their entry into premises;
    • use protective clothing and repellents to protect against biting insects and ticks when visiting forests, working on a garden plot;
    • keep the territory around houses and garden plots clean, do not allow it to become cluttered;
    • timely remove garbage and food waste;
    • do not consume raw well water;
    • carry out cleaning and disinfection of wells, with complete pumping out of water;
    • store food products, as well as water, in conditions that exclude contact with rodents;
    • carry out work in premises where signs of rodent activity are detected (cleaning, tidying, working with hay, animal feed, etc.) using personal protective equipment: masks, respirators, gloves.
    • wash hands thoroughly with soap after working in the garden plot, after contact with domestic animals, visiting the toilet, and before eating.

    At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor, inform the specialist about what products you have consumed in recent days, whether you have travelled outside the city, whether there are rodents in the house, whether you have been bitten by insects or ticks, and whether you have handled game.

    Epidemiologist Natalia Pobortseva