Fish and Game officials issue warning on tularemia bacteria

WASILLA — The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is warning both pet owners and the general public of a reported case of tularemia following the death of two domestic cats in the North Pole area near Fairbanks.

In Alaska, Arctic hares are the primary host for tularemia, a bacteria spread by ticks. However, squirrels and collared pikas can also be a harbinger of the bacterium. Most cases of the disease are caused by contact with an infected hare, but the warmer summer months increase the chance of contact with carrier ticks.

Most infection is a result of a domestic animal coming in direct contact with an infected animal—either by eating, licking or even close sniffing. According to the Centers for Disease Control, humans and their pets can become infected in a number other ways including skin contact with infected animals, drinking contaminated water, or breathing contaminated dust. Signs and symptoms of tularemia include in both humans and pets are lethargy with high fever and swollen lymph nodes. If these signs or symptoms are observed, contact a medical provider for additional help.

The incubation period for the bacteria ranges from one to 14 days. Left untreated, tularemia can be fatal. Most infections respond well to antibiotics. Cases of tularemia are rare according to state wildlife veterinarian Kimberlee Beckman. She said they can be avoided by adhering to safety precautions such as not allowing pets to roam free or have access to sick hares. She said domesticated pets that do go or are often outside should be treated with a veterinary product that is capable of killing ticks within 24 hours. This prohibits disease transition from ticks feeding on pets.

ADFG also has recommended disposal guidelines suspected rodent harbingers. The suspect carcass should be handled with gloves and placed in a plastic bag. The remains should then be double-bagged and disposed of in a way that prevents scavengers or pets from access again. If an owner suspects a family pet came into contact with a dead hare, ADFG recommends washing anything that has come into contact with the pet’s mouth with soap and water. Owners should also wash any incurred bites or scratches.

Despite the fact that many Alaskans are under the belief that the state does not have ticks, according to ADFG, hare tick and squirrel ticks are commonplace here. Additionally, Alaska has two species of dog ticks—brown and American. According to Fish and Game, the species were introduced by pets traveling to the state and have become established around major cities and towns.

Both dog tick species can transmit tularemia and other diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Tick species from Outside or Europe have been intercepted on dogs coming into the state, including Lyme disease carrying species, according to Fish and Game officials. Most reports of hares, pets, or people diagnosed with tularemia in Alaska occur between Memorial Day and late August and are predominantly in the Interior, according to ADFG.

Ticks spend the winter months buried in leaf litter on the forest floor. As warm weather arrives, the ticks become active and attach to hares. They are quite common on hares by late April or early May and present all summer. As cold weather approaches, they drop off of the hares to complete another stage of their annual life cycle. This usually occurs by late August or early September. Most hares infected with tularemia prior to that time will die as a result of infection.

Beckman is confident that other tick varieties can survive in Alaska. She said there have been reported cases of Outside species making the trek north on people and pets. Beckman said livestock are required to be inspected when they’re brought into Alaska. That’s not the case with pets, so it’s important the owners inspect and/or treat their pets. While not on the lookout for the common hare and squirrel varieties, Beckman said the state is constantly monitoring for the moose winter tick found in Canada and the Lower 48.

Research has shown that the moose winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, can reproduce and survive in Fairbanks and Palmer. State game officials are concerned that if introduced, it has a good chance of becoming established. It can “hitch a ride” on horses, cattle, bison or elk, or free-ranging wildlife.

The moose winter tick is a very serious health issue and can kill moose. Calves are especially vulnerable. Researchers have found it as far north as Alberta and state it is slowly making a northward trek. The ticks cause the moose to itch and scratch, breaking and losing substantial amounts of hair.

A moose with typical infestation can have tens of thousands of ticks and experience significant blood loss. An adult moose has about 32 liters of blood in its body, and an infestation of ticks can consume 40 liters of blood in two months. In that time, a moose would have to more than replace its entire blood volume in that time.

The Department of Fish and Game encourages Alaskans to submit specimens if they find ticks. Contact dfg.dwc.vet@alaska.gov or bring ticks to your local ADFG biologist. Ticks can be brought in live, frozen or preserved in alcohol, in a tightly sealed container.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 352-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com