Tularemia on the rise in Switzerland? A one health approach is needed!

Abstract

In the last 10 years, an increase in tularemia cases has been observed in both humans and animals in Switzerland. In these, infection with Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of the zoonotic disease tularemia, can occur through arthropod vectors or contact to infected animals or exposure to contaminated environmental sources. Currently, we are only able to postulate potential aetiologies: (i) behavioral changes of humans with more exposure to endemic habitats of infected arthropod vectors; (ii) an increased rate of tularemia infected ticks; (iii) increasing number and geographical regions of tick biotopes; (iv) increasing and/or more diverse reservoir populations; (v) increasing presence of bacteria in the environment; (vi) raised awareness and increased testing among physicians; (vii) improved laboratory techniques including molecular testing. To approach these questions, a one-health strategy is necessary. A functioning collaboration between public health, human medicine, and diagnostic and veterinary units for the control of tularemia must be established. Furthermore, the public should be included within citizen-supported-science-projects.

Keywords: Francisella; One Health; Switzerland; Tularemia; Zoonosis, Ticks.

Fig. 1

Annual trends in reported human tularemia cases (all age groups) in Switzerland. The figure displays the incidence per 100′000 and number of reported tularemia cases in humans since the implementation of the ordinance mandating the reporting of observations of communicable diseases, including tularemia, in 2004. Reporting is based on laboratory (serology, PCR, culture) and clinical data. Data provided by the Federal Office of Public Health