Epidemiological situation of Tularaemia in Spain. Period 2015-2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4321/s2173-92772025000300004Keywords:
tularaemia, zoonosis, epidemiological surveillance, One HealthAbstract
Introduction: Tularaemia is a zoonosis caused by Francisella tularensis. Humans can contract the disease through direct or indirect contact with sick animals, mainly hares, moles and rodents. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological situation of tularaemia in Spain in the period 2015-2024.
Methods: A descriptive analysis of tularaemia cases reported to the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE) was performed. We analysed the sociodemographic variables age, sex and autonomous community (AC) of residence. Absolute and relative frequencies, notification rates (NR) and ratio of NR per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated.
Results: 445 cases of tularaemia were reported in Spain in the period 2015-2024, with significant increases in cases in 2019 and 2024 (80% of all cases in the period). The majority of cases were in men (76.1%) and aged between 45 and 64 years. The Autonomous Community with the highest number of cases and NT in 2024 was Castilla y León. Of the 9 deaths reported in the period, all corresponded to the year 2024, resulting in a case fatality of 5.3% in that year, although this variable was reported in 7.6% of the cases in the period.
Conclusions: Although tularaemia is a rare disease in Spain, the increase in cases in 2024 indicates that the risk of outbreaks in endemic areas persists. To prevent future cases, it is essential to strengthen surveillance, particularly in high-risk regions, and to implement strategies based on the One Health approach.
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Copyright (c) 2025 María Elena Cantera Garde, Ana Mª Ruiz-Tornero, Lorena Muñoz Martínez, Rocío Carmona, Juan Miguel Guerras, Raquel Escudero Nieto, Rosa Mª Estévez-Reboredo
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