TAS | 3 Feb 2012
Tasmanians are reminded of general precautions to protect themselves from animal and tick-borne disease.
Health, biomedical and wildlife experts continue to gather intelligence on how Tularaemia may behave in the southern hemisphere, after the first two probable human cases were notified in Tasmania last year.
Deputy Director of Public Health Chrissie Pickin said public health experts remain vigilant for any new cases, and are retrospectively assessing a case of a person who became ill after a tick bite on the West Coast in 2010.
“Through routine surveillance of communicable diseases, we have investigated a small number of suspected cases. We have not identified any historical or further current cases that were definitely acquired in Tasmania,” she said.
“The case we are currently looking into was originally attributed to another tick-borne disease, but further testing in late 2011 raised the possibility of Tularaemia.
“While the illness was not typical of Tularaemia and the initial test results were not conclusive, we have sent further samples to an overseas laboratory in order to fully investigate.
“We know from overseas experiences that Tularaemia is rare in both animals and humans, and only occurs sporadically and unpredictably.”
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Veterinary Officer Mary Lou Conway said experts have tested more than 40 wildlife samples.
“The overseas experience is that Tularaemia can be difficult to confirm in animal populations as it only ever exists in a small proportion of animals,” she said.
“Results to date have been negative. We did not find any visible signs of illness suggestive of Tularaemia among the animal populations in the remote, rugged area between Zeehan and Queenstown, during our wildlife survey.
“We are still waiting on some test results, and collecting more samples through other avenues as part of ongoing statewide surveillance for animal diseases.
“But it is still important for all Tasmanians to take precautions when they are handling wild animals, or going bushwalking or hunting, because animals and ticks can carry a range of disease-causing germs.”
Precautionary health advice remains in place:
- Do not handle wild animals. If you must, wear long sleeves and gloves, and wash your hands afterwards.
- If you are going bushwalking or camping, wear insect repellent and long pants and sleeves.
- Remove any ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.
For more information, go to www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/peh
To report a suspected human infection of Tularaemia, call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
To report a sick wild animal, call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
