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Tularaemia

What is Tularaemia? 

Tularaemia is a bacterial infection that is transferred from an animal to a human. Infection can occur through ticks, water contaminated by rats, under-cooked meat from an infected animal such as rabbit, and also through soil that is contaminated. Symptoms include a high fever, generalised aching and swollen glands, which can last over a period of a few weeks. Normally it is not possible to catch the disease from other humans. 

Who is at risk of Tularaemia? 

Any traveller to areas where tularaemia is endemic (that is: the infection is present in low levels) is at risk. 

How can I prevent Tularaemia? 

There is no vaccine to prevent tularaemia and travellers should be careful to ensure their surroundings are kept clean, so as not to encourage rats and other potential carriers. Any water should be boiled if used for personal consumption or food preparation. Any food should be protected from animals and cooked thoroughly. Dead animals should not be handled.