Alameda County: Tularemia Surveillance 2006-2007

Annual Report 2006-2007, Alameda County Vector Control Services

Tularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis that infects a variety of arthropods and vertebrates. Symptoms of human tularemia may include fever, chills, malaise, and fatigue. The disease is commonly transmitted by contacts with rabbits, insects, or tick bites. In Alameda County, a confirmed human case, transmitted by an American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis was reported by CDHS in 2004. Since tularemia is classified as a bio-terrorism agent, the CDHS requested blood samples from various animals for testing. In 2006, 12 rodent samples were submitted; results are still pending.