Tularemia Warning
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:55 am
Hey guys, just a heads up on this. The son of a co-worker came down with this recently after hunting sage rats in North Central Oregon (Sherman County). Like most kids and some of us grown ups, he likes to inspect his kills.
Tularemia
Deerfly fever; Rabbit fever; Pahvant Valley plague; Ohara disease; Yato-byo (Japan); Lemming fever
Last reviewed: March 11, 2011.
Tularemia is an infection common in wild rodents that is passed to humans through contact with infected animal tissues or by ticks, biting flies, and mosquitoes.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis.
Humans can get the disease through:
•A bite from an infected tick, horsefly, or mosquito
•Breathing in infected dirt or plant material
•Direct contact, through a break in the skin, with an infected animal or its dead body (most often a rabbit, muskrat, beaver, or squirrel)
•Eating infected meat (rare)
The disorder most commonly occurs in North America and parts of Europe and Asia. Although outbreaks can occur in the United States, they are rare.
Some people may develop pneumonia after breathing in infected dirt or plant material. This is known to occur on Martha's Vineyard, where bacteria are present in rabbits, raccoons, and skunks.
Francisella tularensis is considered a potential bioterrorism agent. An aerosol release would be a possible method of infection. Pneumonia cases would start 1 - 10 days after people were exposed
He is now on heavy duty antibiotics and under close medical supervision. They were told that the fatality rate if left untreated is 80%. They are pretty sure he will be fine. This may be rare but, obviously it is around here.
Tularemia
Deerfly fever; Rabbit fever; Pahvant Valley plague; Ohara disease; Yato-byo (Japan); Lemming fever
Last reviewed: March 11, 2011.
Tularemia is an infection common in wild rodents that is passed to humans through contact with infected animal tissues or by ticks, biting flies, and mosquitoes.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis.
Humans can get the disease through:
•A bite from an infected tick, horsefly, or mosquito
•Breathing in infected dirt or plant material
•Direct contact, through a break in the skin, with an infected animal or its dead body (most often a rabbit, muskrat, beaver, or squirrel)
•Eating infected meat (rare)
The disorder most commonly occurs in North America and parts of Europe and Asia. Although outbreaks can occur in the United States, they are rare.
Some people may develop pneumonia after breathing in infected dirt or plant material. This is known to occur on Martha's Vineyard, where bacteria are present in rabbits, raccoons, and skunks.
Francisella tularensis is considered a potential bioterrorism agent. An aerosol release would be a possible method of infection. Pneumonia cases would start 1 - 10 days after people were exposed
He is now on heavy duty antibiotics and under close medical supervision. They were told that the fatality rate if left untreated is 80%. They are pretty sure he will be fine. This may be rare but, obviously it is around here.
Wish the squirrels were up, it doesn't hurt to shoot...... 
Heal fast RIO. Bill K 
.