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

Abstract

In the last 10years, an increase intularemiacases 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 occurthrough arthropodvectors or contact to infected animals or exposure to contaminated environmental sources. Currently,we are only able to postulatepotentialaetiologies: (i)behavioralchanges of humans with more exposure to endemic habitats of infected arthropod vectors; (ii) an increased rate of tularemia infected ticks; (iii) increasing numberand geographical regionsof tick biotopes; (iv) increasing and/or more diverse reservoir populations; (v) increasing presence ofbacteriain the environment; (vi) raised awarenessand increased testingamong physicians; (vii) improved laboratory techniques includingmolecular testing. To approach these questions, a one-health strategy is necessary. A functioningcollaboration between public health, human medicine, and diagnostic and veterinary units for the control oftularemiamust be established.Furthermore,the public should be includedwithin citizen-supported-science-projects.