United States: Certain diseases, such as “rabbit fever,” have revolving rates that have been on the rise during the last ten years.
Tularemia incidents rose 56 percent in the first decade of 2010 compared to the preceding decade, researchers reveal in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
More about the news
As per the expert’s report, half of the 2,500 reported cases between 2011 and 2022 came from four states, which include the following: Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma states. However, there have been reports in 47 states of the union.
According to a research team backed by the CDC epidemiologist Kiersten Kugeler, “The case fatality rate of tularemia is typically less than 2% but can be as high as 24%,” newsmax.com reported.
As the researchers mentioned, the disease is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, “an organism that has been designated a tier-1 select agent based on its potential for misuse as a bioweapon.”
Tick and deer fly transmission of the bacteria is also possible; water, drinks, and human or animal contact with rabbits or rodents that are already infected by the bacteria are other ways people can be infected, according to the CDC.
About Tularemia
Tularemia is curable through antibiotic therapy or can lead to pneumonia, said the researchers.
The signs and symptoms depend on how the bacteria enter the body and include ulcers on the skin, eye infections, sore throat, cough, difficulties in breathing, and swollen lymph nodes.
Tularemia infection rates are higher among people with American Indian/Alaskan Native heritage: it is more than four to five times higher than among whites, the researchers pointed out.
It was most frequent in children aged 5-9 and senior men of age 65 and above.
The researchers pointed out that the results could indicate a real rise in human infections or an increased ability to identify new cases due to better diagnostic tools in laboratories, newsmax.com reported.
There are different ways to avoid getting infected with tularemia, and that includes applying insect repellant and wearing long pants, long sleeves, and long socks to avoid being bitten by ticks and deer flies, according to the CDC.
They also should avoid sick animals, not mow over dead animals, and wear gloves when handling wild animals, the CDC said.