Arizona: Tularemia 2003-2005

2003-2005 Highlights, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Disease Newsletter, Arizona Department of Health Services

The state has averaged one case of tularemia per year over the last three years. One case in 2003 is thought to have been acquired from deer fly bites. Cases in 2005 occurred in two Coconino County family members who both had contact with a rabbit carcass. Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, is a potentially serious bacterial disease most commonly associated with handling rabbits, although bites from infected ticks and deer flies are also known to be a source of infection. Tularemia is part of the reason why we recommend that hunters wear rubber gloves while field-dressing game. Animal surveillance efforts found two tularemia-positive animals in 2005 (a rabbit and a domestic cat, both in Yavapai County). In 2006, a cat with tularemia was reported in the Show Low area.