Retrospective Evaluation of Tularemia Cases in Muş Province: 2011-2022

Abstract

Objective: Tularemia is a bacterial disease of humans, wild and domestic animals. Recently, an increase in human tularemia cases has been observed in many countries worldwide. This study aimed to calculate the incidence of tularemia cases in Muş, determine the seasonal distribution of cases, and describe the socio demographic and clinical characteristics of tularemia cases detected over a twelve-year period. Methods: Data from 162 patients diagnosed clinically and serologically with tularemia and admitted to health facilities in Muş province between 2011 and 2022 were retrospectively analysed. Results: In our study, among 162 tularemia patients with F. tularensis microagglutination test titres of 1/160 and above, the ratio of male and female cases was equal (50%), and the mean age was 24.51 years. In the twelve-year evaluation, there were two major epidemics, and the most cases were seen in 2018 with 37 cases. Most cases were observed in winter (38.3%) and autumn (25.3%). Oropharyngeal tularemia was the most common form (64.2%) among the cases evaluated. Similar disease was found in 33.3% of patients living in the same neighbourhood as the patients, and no mortality was observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: As the oropharyngeal form is the most common, contact with contaminated water should be questioned, rodent and tick populations should be monitored and detailed epidemiological studies should be conducted. We believe that hygiene and sanitation measures are important with regard to tularemia outbreaks.