Tularemia cases rise in Latvia

Latvia has recorded a rise in tularemia, with 17 people diagnosed this year compared with 11 cases in 2025. The country registered only seven cases during the previous decade, from 2015 through 2024.

The acute bacterial infection can spread to people through damaged skin or mucous membranes. Risks include tick, mosquito and horsefly bites, contact with infected animals or contaminated material, and consumption of contaminated water or food. People can also become infected by inhaling dust carrying the bacteria. Tularemia does not spread from person to person.

All 17 patients diagnosed this year required hospital treatment. Twelve were men and five were women. Seven patients were aged 45 to 64, six were over 65, and four were between 25 and 44.

The highest number of cases occurred in Zemgale, with six, and Riga, with five. Latgale recorded three cases, Vidzeme two and Kurzeme one. Epidemiological investigations found that most infections were connected to time spent outdoors, including exposure to rodent-contaminated environments, insect bites and inhaled dust.

Health officials describe tularemia as a clinically serious infection. Its fatality rate is about 2% with appropriate treatment and can reach 5% to 15% without treatment. Symptoms often begin suddenly with fever, chills, weakness, headaches and muscle pain. The illness can also cause skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, eye inflammation, coughing or pneumonia. Hunters, wildlife workers, hikers and campers face increased exposure risks.