While not everyone condones hunting, it is that time of year
and for some it may be the primary way of filling a freezer with meat for the
coming year. Hunting does have its perks
- spending time outside enjoying the beautiful views and appreciating the world
we have the fortune to live in, but it also has it’s downsides - like zoonotic diseases. Case in point was an alert
from a Public Health Unit in Ontario, Canada about the first case of Tularemia.
and for some it may be the primary way of filling a freezer with meat for the
coming year. Hunting does have its perks
- spending time outside enjoying the beautiful views and appreciating the world
we have the fortune to live in, but it also has it’s downsides - like zoonotic diseases. Case in point was an alert
from a Public Health Unit in Ontario, Canada about the first case of Tularemia.
Tularemia, also known as Rabbit Fever, is caused by the
bacterium Francisella tularensis which occurs
naturally worldwide. Rabbits and other
wild rodents such as squirrels are the primary species affected, but it can
also infect beavers and muskrats, livestock such as horses, pigs and sheep and
pets such as dogs and cats. Tularemia
bacteria can be found in the organs or body fluids of infected animals, which
can contaminate the environment. It is a
hardy organism that can live for long periods of time in soil, vegetation and
water. Tularemia is transmitted to
animals by ingesting contaminated raw meat or drinking contaminated water,
inhaling the bacteria, direct contact with contaminated environment, being
bitten by an infected animal, or from biting flies or ticks. People similarly can get Tularemia in the
exact same manner.
bacterium Francisella tularensis which occurs
naturally worldwide. Rabbits and other
wild rodents such as squirrels are the primary species affected, but it can
also infect beavers and muskrats, livestock such as horses, pigs and sheep and
pets such as dogs and cats. Tularemia
bacteria can be found in the organs or body fluids of infected animals, which
can contaminate the environment. It is a
hardy organism that can live for long periods of time in soil, vegetation and
water. Tularemia is transmitted to
animals by ingesting contaminated raw meat or drinking contaminated water,
inhaling the bacteria, direct contact with contaminated environment, being
bitten by an infected animal, or from biting flies or ticks. People similarly can get Tularemia in the
exact same manner.
The disease itself varies depending on the route of
exposure. Initially flu-like symptoms
such as fever, chills, headache and joint pain may occur. Glands (lymph nodes) may become swollen and
painful and may break open and drain pus.
Other symptoms such as skin rash, sore throat or swelling of the eyes
can occur, as can coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath and severe
pneumonia if the lungs become infected.
exposure. Initially flu-like symptoms
such as fever, chills, headache and joint pain may occur. Glands (lymph nodes) may become swollen and
painful and may break open and drain pus.
Other symptoms such as skin rash, sore throat or swelling of the eyes
can occur, as can coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath and severe
pneumonia if the lungs become infected.
Because of its ubiquitous nature, Tularemia is difficult to
prevent. Prevention measures include
keeping pets indoors and away from wildlife and not feeding them raw meat from
wild animals. Hunters are at higher risk
of exposure because of the handling of wild game carcasses and therefore need
to avoid contacting sick animals, handling dead wildlife without gloves (hint,
hint to my niece!) and ensuring that they wash their hands after touching any
animal particularly before eating!
prevent. Prevention measures include
keeping pets indoors and away from wildlife and not feeding them raw meat from
wild animals. Hunters are at higher risk
of exposure because of the handling of wild game carcasses and therefore need
to avoid contacting sick animals, handling dead wildlife without gloves (hint,
hint to my niece!) and ensuring that they wash their hands after touching any
animal particularly before eating!
We cannot underestimate our daily and often seemingly
innocent interactions with nature. While
our greatest chance of being infected directly is through contact with infected
animals, the environment itself can be easily contaminated as well and we need
to be cognizant of the fact that the air we breathe or the water we drink while
enjoying nature may be carrying something we had not intended to pick up.
innocent interactions with nature. While
our greatest chance of being infected directly is through contact with infected
animals, the environment itself can be easily contaminated as well and we need
to be cognizant of the fact that the air we breathe or the water we drink while
enjoying nature may be carrying something we had not intended to pick up.
Bugging Off!
Nicole
