Tularaemia in Tasmania
Public health advice stands
Tularaemia does not pass from person to person. It can be passed on by handling infected wild animals, through bites of infected ticks or (rarely) from drinking contaminated raw water. Precautionary advice remains in place.
Wildlife survey
A wild animal survey conducted in November 2011 did not find evidence suggestive of Tularaemia in wild animals or ticks. Sampling occurred within five-kilometre radii of where two people were bitten by possums between Queenstown and Zeehan.
Background
Two people were diagnosed with probable Tularaemia in 2011. This particular form of Tularaemia was previously unknown in the southern hemisphere.
A joint investigation involves the Public and Environmental Health Service and the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. The investigation is complex and will take time. It involves health, wildlife and microbiology experts from Tasmania, interstate and overseas.
Updates are provided when new information becomes available.
Last updated: 3 February 2012