Tularemia: What AZGFD Is Doing

Because of the sporadic occurrence of many wildlife diseases, it is nearly impossible to manage for outbreaks. Instead, the best thing we can do is increase awareness and educate the public about the signs and symptoms of specific wildlife diseases. In Arizona and throughout most of the Southwest, tularemia has been most commonly associated with mortalities in cottontail rabbits. Often the only sign is sudden, unexplained death (lacking obvious signs of trauma). Examination of the carcass may reveal small white spots on the liver and spleen. The department’s Wildlife Health Program responds to several reports each year where tularemia is thought to be the cause of death.