Tularemia

Abstract

Tularemia is a rare but potentially fatal disease that develops in numerous wild and domestic animals, including lagomorphs, rodents, cats, and humans. The disease occurs throughout much of the United States and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute febrile illness, particularly when risk factors such as contact with wild mammals or tick exposure are present. Veterinarians may be at increased risk of acquiring tularemia from contact with infected animals, but standard precautions should greatly reduce this risk. Outbreaks of tularemia warrant investigation, especially given the possibility of the use of F tularensis as an agent of bioterrorism.