In animals:

• Sudden death and mass mortalities
• Overseas - symptoms have included:
  • Fever, depression, loss of appetite
  • Skin ulceration and local inflammation at the entry site
  • Local lymph node enlargement
• In Australia - post-mortem findings in possums included acute necrotising enteritis and acute necrotising hepatitis, however this was possibly multifactorial
• Dogs, cats, and sheep can be affected, although most do not show clinical signs
• No domestic animal cases have been reported in Australia

In humans:

• Clinical signs vary depending on the route of transmission and symptoms can appear suddenly
• High fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, nausea
• Skin ulcer at bite/exposure site and swelling of local lymph nodes
• Eye irritation and swelling of nearby lymph nodes
• Sore throat, mouth ulcers, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, lymphadenitis
• Cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing
• Infection can be severe if untreated
• All cases in Australia resolved after treatment with antibiotics

If you suspect Tularaemia in animals:

Avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife.

Report suspicious deaths or illness in possums or wildlife to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 (24/7) or contact a Local Land Services Authorised Officer on 1300 795 299 (business hours).

You can also email the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (animal.biosecurity@dpird.nsw.gov.au) within one working day.

If the animal is sick and requires urgent treatment, contact your local wildlife care organisation (eg., WIRES) and inform them that a notifiable, zoonotic disease is suspected.

Remember, you have a biosecurity duty to prevent the transmission of diseases from your animals to others.

Sample collection and submission for veterinarians:

• Contact NSW EMAI Customer Service Unit (1800 675 623) Customer Service to discuss or email laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au to provide advanced notice of your submission.
• Complete a Veterinary Specimen Advice Form. Samples from NSW are submitted directly to our NSW EMAI laboratory. Testing will be conducted at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Victoria after being processed at EMAI.
• Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment - Refer to 'How is it spread?'
• SUBMIT THE WHOLE ANIMAL (if possible) to the State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at EMAI, Menangle, NSW
• Place the animal in a water-tight plastic bag, then double-bag
• Disinfect the outer bag
• Place specimen in an esky/rigid container with ice packs
• Clearly label the specimen “Tularaemia testing” on the top of the specimen inside the esky
• Package esky in a cardboard box with consignment note
• Keep chilled - do not freeze

Tests available for animals include:

1. PCR (from swabs, tissues or whole animals)
2. Bacterial culture (from swabs, tissues or whole animals)

Refer to link: Laboratory Services Tularaemia

Francisella tularensis can be transmitted from animals to humans through:

1. bites, scratches or direct contact with blood or tissues of affected animals
2. arthropod vectors (including ticks, mosquitos and biting insects)
3. inhalation of aerosols/particles
4. ingestion of contaminated meat or water

It does not spread from human to human.

The incubation period in animals is usually 1-10 days and the disease can persist for 2-10 days. Animals are often deceased when presented for diagnosis.

F. tularensis is stable in the environment and can survive for many months in mud and water.

The bacterium remains viable at freezing temperatures for months to years.

Handling high-risk wildlife - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and hygiene practices

• Cover all wounds and abrasions with waterproof dressings
• Use insect repellent to prevent bites
• Wear PPE:
  • Goggles or face shield
  • Mask (N95 or P2)
  • Disposable gloves and overalls
  • Enclosed, washable footwear
  • Follow proper donning/doffing procedures
• For live animals, use safe restraint to avoid bites and scratches
• Wash and dry hands thoroughly after handling
• Do not eat while handling animals
• Shower after working with animals
• Do not conduct necropsies on suspected tularaemia cases

Yes, tularaemia is a zoonotic disease and can spread from animal to humans.

For more information about tularaemia in humans, visit the NSW Health website and refer to the Tularaemia fact sheet. If you have any concerns about your health or the health of other people in contact with the suspected animal, contact your GP or your local public health unit on 1300 066 055 and inform them of your contact with a potential exposure.

Veterinary Biosecurity Management:

Risk assessment:

• Identify at-risk wildlife (eg., possums found deceased in groups, any wildlife showing signs of skin ulcers or systemic illness such as fever, enlarged lymph nodes, septicaemia or pneumonia).

Minimise exposure:

• Limit contact with suspected/confirmed cases
• Avoid exposure if pregnant or immunocompromised
• Isolate affected animals
• Disinfect cages under veterinary supervision

Infection control:

• Use PPE (see list above)
• Minimise aerosolisation during procedures
• Work in an isolated environment with separate ventilation (where possible) which can be fully decontaminated and is away from other staff
• Avoid necropsy where possible
• Use clinical waste bins with lids
• Disinfect surfaces with:
  • 0.5 - 1% sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
  • 70% ethanol
  • 2% glutaraldehyde
  • 4% paraformaldehyde

Aim for 20-minute contact time

Lab safety:

• Double bag and disinfect specimens
• Clearly label samples

Training and Protocols:

• Educate staff on:
  • Case identification
  • Infection control procedures

Refer to the Wildlife Health Australia (WHA) website to access the National Guidelines for Sample Submission: Biosecurity & Management.

Contact your state Wildlife Health Coordinator, or email animal.biosecurity@dpird.nsw.gov.au.

• Wildlife Health AustraliaFact Sheet Tularaemia and Australian wildlife & Alert - Tularaemia
• Tularemia - WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health
• World Health Organisation Guidelines on Tularaemia WHO Guidelines on Tularaemia