CDC report shows increase in tularemia cases in US, some reported in Missouri and Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that cases of tularemia in the U.S. have increased, with some cases being reported in Missouri and Arkansas.

Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, is a bacterial infection caused by Francisella tularensis, which can be transmitted through arthropod bites, infected animals or ingesting contaminated aerosols and water. Symptoms include skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes and pneumonia.

According to the CDC’s morbidity and mortality weekly report, 47 states reported 2,462 tularemia cases during 2011-2022, which was 56% higher than reported during 2001-2010.

The full article is available at ozarksfirst.com.

(Story by Miriam Battles, ozarksfirst.com)