Tularemia

View ISDH's Quick Facts about Tularemia

View CDC's Frequently Asked Questions about Tularemia Page

View CDC's Tularemia as a Bioterrorism Agent Page

Cases = 1

In 2001, one case of tularemia was reported. Over the past 5 years (1997-2001), an average of 2 cases/year has been reported with a range of 1-5 cases/year for a total case count of 11. Nine of the cases were in males. Case investigations revealed source of infection for some, but not all, cases. When potential exposures were identified, exposures were natural exposures related to a tick attachment, handling carcasses of cottontail rabbits, and the handling of a pheasant carcass killed on a Kansas hunting trip. As a public health problem, tularemia is of little significance in Indiana. It occurs infrequently and is not communicable from person to person. The disease is reportable because of its potential for being used as a bioterrorism agent. The causative agent of tularemia, Francisella tularensis, is considered a Category A agent by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as it has the capability of causing pneumonic or typhoidal forms of the disease when aerosolized. A large increase in tularemia cases in a very short period of time would suggest the possibility of an unusual and possible deliberate exposure.

Back to Top of Article

Back to Table of Contents