Medical expert of the article
New publications
How is tularemia prevented?
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Specific prevention of tularemia involves vaccinating persons over seven years of age who reside or work in areas where tularemia is endemic. A vaccine against tularemia is used - a live dry tularemia vaccine developed by B.Ya. Elbert and N.A. Gaisky. The immunity level is assessed on the 5th-7th and 12th-15th days. If the result is negative, a repeat vaccination is administered. The immunity status of vaccinated persons is checked five years after vaccination and then once every two years. Revaccination is administered if the results of immunological (allergic or serological) reactions are negative. The need for vaccination is determined by territorial centers of the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance based on an analysis of the epidemiological situation in the area under their jurisdiction. A distinction is made between scheduled and unscheduled (according to epidemiological indications) vaccination.
The immunity status of the population is determined by random testing of the adult working population using allergic or serological methods: RA, RPGA, ELISA. Revaccination is carried out at the IIP level below 70% in meadow-field foci and less than 90% in marsh foci, as well as according to epidemiological indications.
Non-specific prevention of tularemia involves monitoring natural foci of tularemia, timely detection of epizootics among wild animals, and carrying out deratization and disinfestation measures.
In case of a water outbreak, it is prohibited to drink unboiled water and to swim, and if well water is contaminated, measures are taken to clean the well from rodent corpses and disinfect the water.
In case of a risk of transmission infection, it is recommended to use repellents, protective clothing, and restrict entry of unvaccinated population into unfavorable areas.
To prevent industrial infections, it is advisable to use gloves when removing skins from killed rodents and disinfect your hands. Disinfection and disinfestation measures are carried out in skin storage warehouses. Meat (e.g., hare) must be thoroughly cooked before consumption.
When stacking hay and threshing grain, use goggles and protective masks.
It is necessary to carry out systematic explanatory and sanitary-educational work among the population of areas where tularemia is unfavorable.
People who have been in contact with the patient are not isolated, as the sick are not contagious. The patient's home is disinfected.
[