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Tularemia in Washington
State
Tularemia is an endemic
zoonosis in Washington where 1 to 10 tularemia infections
are reported annually. Potential sources of infection
reported by Washington residents with tularemia include
insect and animal bites, contaminated water, and aerosol
exposure while farming or using power landscape tools such
as lawn mowers and weed eaters. Epidemiological data from
human cases with endemic exposures indicates that tularemia
is most commonly acquired in western Washington. The
majority of F. tularensis
isolates in Washington are
type B. A
statewide serosurvey of more than 360 outdoor pet cats and
dogs in Washington during 2004–2005 indicated that 0.6% were
exposed to tularemia. The incidence was highest in dogs and
cats tested in southwest Washington (4.5%).
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
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To assist in diagnosis.
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When the source is a risk for only a few
individuals (e.g., animal exposure), to inform those
individuals how they can reduce their risk of exposure.
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To educate potentially exposed persons,
including laboratory personnel, about signs and symptoms of
disease, thereby facilitating early diagnosis.
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To determine the endemicity and epidemiology
of the disease in Washington state.
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To raise the index of suspicion of a
possible bioterrorism event if no natural exposure source is
identified.
Reporting Requirements
- Health care providers: notifiable to Local Health
Jurisdiction within 3 work days
- Hospitals: notifiable to Local Health Jurisdiction
within 3 work days
- Laboratories: specimen submission required
- Local health jurisdictions: notifiable to DOH
Communicable Disease Epidemiology within 7 days of case
investigation completion or summary information required
within 21 days. If bioterrorism is suspected, case must
be immediately reported to DOH: 1-877-539-4344
Last
update
Dec. 2007 |
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