Tularaemia
- Tularaemia is a notifiable disease and is also declared as Emergency Animal Disease (EAD).
- Tularaemia is a zoonotic agent, capable of causing serious illness in humans.
- Contact Customer Service to notify the laboratory when submitting samples for testing.
- For urgent assistance or advice contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Description
Tularaemia is a disease resulting from infection by the bacterium Francisella tularensis.
Worldwide, Tularaemia is commonly found in a wide range of mammals including rabbits, hares, rodents and wildlife, particularly in the Northern hemisphere. It can cause acute blood poisoning (septicaemia) and sudden death in these species. In 2016, Tularaemia was detected in Australia for the first time in archived tissue samples from ringtail possums.
Further information is available on the Wildlife Health Australia (WHA) website in regard to the National Guidelines for Sample Submission
Diagnosis and tests available
Diagnosis
For the best diagnostic outcome, contact Customer Service to discuss sample collection and submission. Testing to exclude Tularemia is conducted at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Victoria, but samples from NSW should be submitted to our NSW APHL Laboratories located at EMAI to ensure safe handling and appropriate notification of the relevant authorities.
Tests available
Test | Sample(s) required | Days of the week test is conducted | Turnaround time1 |
|---|---|---|---|
PCR | Swabs. tissues or whole animal | Mon-Fri | Varies |
| Bacterial culture | Swabs, tissues or whole animal | Mon-Fri | Varies |
1 Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.
Additional Information
Specimen requirements
| Blood smear |
|---|
|
Further information
- CVO bulletin Tularaemia veterinarians (PDF, 212.23 KB)
- CVO bulletin Tularaemia wildlife handlers (PDF, 188.23 KB)
- The WHA Tularaemia and Australian wildlife fact sheet
- For information on symptoms in humans refer to the NSW Health factsheet
Customer Service
Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.
NSW DPIRD's laboratories are committed to continual improvement of services. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill in and submit the online feedback form.
CONTACT DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1800 675 623 |
| Operating Hours | 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only) |
| Postal Address | Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567 |
Quotations
For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request
For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPIRD AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957
For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPIRD AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103
Submission Forms
Veterinary Specimen Advice Form
Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au) for more information.
Courier services and specimen delivery
For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.
For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.
Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the APHL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.
Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).
Sample Type | Laboratory | Street Address |
|---|---|---|
Animal (including aquatic animals) | NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL) | EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568 |
