tularemia

Or tu·la·rae·mi·a

[too-luh-ree-mee-uh]

noun

Pathology, Veterinary Pathology.

1. a plaguelike disease of rabbits, squirrels, etc., caused by a bacterium, Francisella tularensis, transmitted to humans by insects or ticks or by the handling of infected animals and causing fever, muscle pain, and symptoms associated with the point of entry into the body.

tularemia

1. An infectious disease characterized by intermittent fever and swelling of the lymph nodes, caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. It chiefly affects wild rabbits and rodents but can also be transmitted to humans through the bite of various insects or through contact with infected animals.

Other Word Forms

• tularemic adjective
• tularaemic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tularemia¹

1920–25, Tulare, California county where first found + -emia

Example Sentences

Squirrels carry some diseases that can be transmitted to humans, including Lyme disease and tularemia, which causes flu-like symptoms and skin ulcers.

From Los Angeles Times

China’s biological research included activities with potential germ weapons applications, the State Department warned, adding that China has “reportedly weaponized ricin, botulinum toxins, and the causative agents of anthrax, cholera, plague, and tularemia.”

From Washington Times

The report, made public in April, said China has “reportedly weaponized ricin, botulinum toxins, and the causative agents of anthrax, cholera, plague, and tularemia.”

From Washington Times

Exposure to their feces, urine or saliva is known to spread hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, tularemia and salmonella.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2017, a kidney transplant recipient in Nevada died from the rare bacterial infection tularemia just days after receiving a new organ.

From Washington Post