National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Tularemia


Other Names:
Francisella tularensis infection; Deerfly fever; Rabbit fever; Francisella tularensis infection; Deerfly fever; Rabbit fever; Pahvant Valley plague; Ohara disease; Yatobyo (Japan); Lemming fever See More
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Tularemia is an infection caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. It is more common in rodents and rabbits but has been found in other animals including domestic cats, sheep, birds, and hamsters. Humans can become infected in several different ways: by handling infected animals, through tick or deer fly bites, by drinking contaminated water, or by inhaling contaminated dust or aerosols. [1][2][3] Person-to-person transmission has not been reported.[2] The type of tularemia and the particular signs and symptoms vary depending on how the bacteria enter the body. However, fever is seen in most cases.[3][4] Though tularemia can be life-threatening, most infections can be treated with antibiotics.[1]

Last updated: 10/3/2017

The symptoms of tularemia usually appear 3 to 5 days after exposure, but can take as long as 14 days to appear. Symptoms may include:

  • Fever 
  • Chills
  • Headache 
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle pains
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Joint pain 
  • Dry cough
  • Fatigue
  • Skin rash
  • Progressive weakness
Symptoms vary depending on the way the bacteria enter the body. Additional signs and symptoms may include pneumonia, ulcers on the skin or mouth, swollen eyes, and a sore throat.[5][6]
Last updated: 10/3/2017
Antibiotics used to treat tularemia include streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin. Treatment usually lasts 10 to 21 days. Although symptoms may last for several weeks, most treated patients make a full recovery.[7][8] Untreated  tularemia infections are fatal in 5-15% of cases.[6]
Last updated: 10/3/2017

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Tularemia. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • You can obtain information on this topic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC is recognized as the lead federal agency for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Tularemia. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • I was diagnosed with tularemia in 1990. I was treated with streptomycin for 7 days. Can this condition have any lasting effects on the organs (heart, lungs, thyroid, kidneys)? See answer


  1. Tularemia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sept, 2016; https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/index.html.
  2. Tularemia Transmission. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). October, 2015; https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/transmission/index.html.
  3. Tularemia. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. July, 2015; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tularemia/basics/definition/con-20028009.
  4. Tularemia Signs and Symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). October, 2015; https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/signssymptoms/index.html.
  5. Tularemia: Frequently Asked Questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). October, 2015; https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/faq/index.html.
  6. Cleveland, Kerry. Tularemia. Medscape. Feb. 29, 2016; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/230923-overview.
  7. Tularemia: Diagnosis and Treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). October, 2016; https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/diagnosistreatment/index.html.
  8. Bush, Larry. Tularemia. Merck Manual Consumer Version. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/infections/bacterial-infections/tularemia. Accessed 10/3/2017.