Tularemia is an acute infectious natural focal disease characterized by intoxication, fever of varying intensity, and lesions of the skin, lymph nodes, lungs, and sometimes the eyes and intestines. It is caused by the bacterium Francisella.
- stable in the external environment;
- at low temperatures it can be stored for 4-6 months;
- when boiled it dies instantly;
- when exposed to disinfectants – within 2-5 minutes.
Sources of infection include small rodents, lagomorphs, cattle, small ruminants, and pigs. It is not transmitted from person to person.
Transmission routes:
- Transmissible – through bites from infected blood-sucking insects and ticks.
- Contact – through contact with an infected animal.
- Foodborne – when consuming food products and meals contaminated with the pathogen.
- Aerogenic – when inhaling dust particles containing the pathogen.
The incubation period ranges from 1 day to 30 days (on average 3-5 days).
Symptoms and signs of tularemia:
- Acute onset of the disease with chills and an immediate increase in temperature to high levels (39-40 ℃);
- General intoxication with body aches and joint pain;
- Headache, weakness, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite;
- Lymph node involvement;
- Formation of ulcers on the skin;
- Angina with tonsil necrosis;
- Pathological process in the intestine;
- Erosions and ulcers of the conjunctiva with purulent discharge;
- Development of the pulmonary form with damage to the bronchi or lungs.
Prevention:
- Carrying out extermination measures against rodents (deratization);
- Ensuring rodent-proofness of residential and industrial premises;
- Protecting food and water from rodents;
- Taking precautions when relaxing or engaging in outdoor activities, including using repellents, wearing clothing that covers as much of the skin as possible, and periodically inspecting the body and clothing for ticks;
- Use of mechanical devices to prevent insects from entering premises;
- Maintaining residential premises and garden plots in proper sanitary condition;
- Use of protective equipment for the respiratory system, eyes, and skin when carrying out construction or agricultural work associated with dust formation;
- Compliance with personal hygiene rules.
If symptoms appear, do not self-medicate, seek medical help immediately!
