Definition

A disease caused by a specific bacterium that mainly affects animals like rodents and can be transmitted to humans, leading to symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes.

Example

Tularemia can be contracted by handling infected animals or through insect bites.

Conversation

Have you heard about tularemia?

Yeah, I read something about it recently. It’s pretty serious, right?

It is! I think it mainly affects animals, but it can spread to humans too.

Exactly, and I heard it can be transmitted by insect bites or handling infected animals.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tularemia is formed from 'Tulare' (referring to Tulare County in California, where the disease was first identified) and '-emia' (from Greek 'haima', meaning blood). The term refers to a disease associated with the blood that was first identified in Tulare County.

Memory Tip

Think of the name 'Tularemia' as linking the disease to 'Tulare', the place where it was first discovered, and '-emia' meaning related to blood.

Visually Confused Words