VIRAPID® TULAREMIA

Tularemia is a highly infectious zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis. Although it is widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, its occurrence is uneven and its epidemiology varies considerably by region. The disease is considered endemic in large areas of North America and Eurasia, with particular relevance in Northern and Central Europe, Scandinavia, countries of the former Soviet Union, and Japan. Major outbreaks have also been reported in other countries, reflecting its continuing potential as a public health concern.

In humans, infection is not transmitted from person to person and is usually acquired through contact with infected wildlife, ingestion of or contact with contaminated water, bites from ticks and other arthropods, or inhalation of contaminated aerosols. The clinical presentation may vary depending on the route of exposure, infectious dose, and strain virulence, ranging from mild forms to severe infection. In this context, tularemia may be difficult to recognize in its early stages, making the availability of appropriate diagnostic tools especially important, particularly in endemic areas or in patients with a compatible exposure history.