Primary prevention

Preventive measures include wearing protective clothing when handling potentially infected animals (or not handling them at all), not mowing over areas of lawn inhabited by potentially infected animals, avoiding tick bites (or promptly removing ticks), avoiding contaminated water, cooking wild meat thoroughly, and using insect repellents in endemic areas.

Post-exposure prophylaxis should be considered for accidental exposure of laboratory personnel and prophylactic antibiotic therapy initiated within 24 hours. Doxycycline is the preferred agent, but ciprofloxacin is a suitable alternative.[15]​ If exposure most likely did not occur in the laboratory, increased vigilance may be sufficient (e.g., daily measurement of body temperature for 14 days).​[17]

CDC: tularemia: managing potential laboratory exposures to Francisella tularensis Opens in new window

A vaccine is not generally available, but may be available for military personnel who work with Francisella tularensis.[17]​​[18]

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