A disease of rabbits, caused by the bacterium Pasteurella or Brucella tularensis, which can be passed to humans. In humans, the symptoms are headaches, fever and swollen lymph nodes.
A disease of rodents such as rabbits and rats, caused by the bacillus, Francisella tularense, and spread either by flies or by direct inoculation for example, into the hands of a person engaged in skinning rabbits. In humans the disease takes the form of a slow fever lasting several weeks, with much malaise and depression, followed by considerable emaciation. It was first described in the district of Tulare in California, and is found widely spread in North America and in Europe, but not in Great Britain. Streptomycin, the tetracyclines and chloramphenicol offer effective in treatment.
Tularaemia is a bacterial infection primarily affecting wildlife, which can occasionally be transmitted to humans. While it is not found in the UK, it does occur in North America. The infection can be contracted through direct contact with an infected animal or its remains, as well as through bites from ticks, fleas, flies, or lice. Diagnosis is usually made through blood tests, and the condition is treatable with antibiotics.