Tularemia

Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. It is primarily spread through contact with infected animals and their contaminated environment, or through arthropod-borne transmission. Human cases are typically characterized by fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches and severe fatigue, followed in some cases by skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes and pneumonia-like symptoms. Tularemia can be effectively treated with antibiotics, but if untreated it can be fatal. It is considered a potential agent of bioterrorism due to its ability to survive in the environment and its potential to cause mass casualties. Vaccines are also available to prevent human infection.