Tularemia is an infectious disease caused by a hardy
bacterium, Francisella tularensis, found in
animals (especially rodents, rabbits, and hares).
1. Does tularemia occur naturally in the
United States?
Yes. It is a widespread disease of animals. Approximately
200 cases of tularemia in humans are reported annually in the United States. Nearly
all cases occur in rural areas and are associated with the bites of infective ticks
and biting flies or with the handling of infected rodents, rabbits, or hares. Occasional
cases result from inhaling infectious aerosols and from laboratory animals.
2. Why are we concerned about tularemia as
a bioweopon?
Francisella tularensis
is highly infectious: a small number of bacteria (10-50 organisms), can cause disease.
If F. tularensis were used as a bioweapon, the bacteria
would likely be made airborne for exposure by inhalation. Persons who inhale an
infectious aerosol would generally experience severe respiratory illness, including
life-threatening pneumonia and systemic infection, if they were not treated. The
bacteria that cause tularemia occur widely in nature and could be isolated and grown
in quantity in a laboratory, although manufacturing an effective aerosol weapon
would require considerable sophistication.
3. Can someone become infected with the tularemia
bacteria from another person?
No. People have not been known to transmit the infection
to others, so infected persons do not need to be isolated.
4. Can tularemia be treated with antibiotics?
Yes. After potential exposure or diagnosis, early
treatment is recommended with an antibiotic from the tetracycline (such as doxycycline)
or fluoriquinoilone (such as ciprofloxacin) class. The antibiotics streptomycin
and gentamicin can also be used.
5. Is there a vaccine available for tularemia?
In the past, a vaccine for tularemia has been used
to protect laboratory workers, but it is currently under review by the Food and
Drug Administration.
CDC Website on Tularemia