First reported prairie dog-to-human tularemia transmission, Texas, 2002

Emerg Infect Dis. 2004 Mar;10(3):483-6. doi: 10.3201/eid1003.030695.

Abstract

A tularemia outbreak, caused by Francisella tularensis type B, occurred among wild-caught, commercially traded prairie dogs. F. tularensis microagglutination titers in one exposed person indicated recent infection. These findings represent the first evidence for prairie-dog-to-human tularemia transmission and demonstrate potential human health risks of the exotic pet trade.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary*
  • Francisella tularensis / isolation & purification*
  • Francisella tularensis / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sciuridae*
  • Texas / epidemiology
  • Tularemia / epidemiology
  • Tularemia / transmission
  • Tularemia / veterinary*