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Start of hunting season: beware of the risk of tularemiaAs of September 4, 2015, the InVS had already recorded 71 cases of tularemia with no particular signs of severity, compared to 57 in 2014 (1), and an annual average of 45 reported cases since 2003. The most affected regions are western France (18 cases in Pays de la Loire, 9 in Brittany, 9 in the Centre region, and 9 in Poitou-Charentes) and the Picardy (20 cases)/Champagne-Ardenne (9 cases) area. Two cases were reported in Burgundy (1 in Côte-d'Or and 1 in Saône-et-Loire) and 3 in Franche-Comté (2 in Doubs and 1 in Haute-Saône).Tularemia is transmitted through direct contact with infected wild animals (most commonly hares), through tick bites, or from an environment contaminated by animal waste (rodent urine). The disease manifests after a 2- to 4-week incubation period with fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and sometimes a skin ulcer. More rarely, conjunctivitis or pneumonia may occur. In Europe, tularemia has an excellent prognosis with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Hunters are at higher risk, particularly during the skinning and evisceration of game. The Directorate General for Health (DGS), the Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS), the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (INPES), and the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS) remind the public of the following preventive measures:- wear long-sleeved and long-legged clothing for recreational activities in the forest, and check your skin for ticks upon returning from outdoor activities, - avoid hunting animals that appear weak or sick for consumption, - always wear waterproof gloves when skinning and gutting game, - Clean the knife thoroughly—while keeping the gloves on—and wash your hands and forearms carefully after these operations, - In the event of an accidental injury during skinning or evisceration, the wound must be immediately cleaned with soap and water, - Cook game meat thoroughly before consuming it,- finally, if you experience suggestive symptoms such as fever accompanied by swollen lymph nodes or a skin wound that is slow to heal, you should consult a doctor and mention your hunting activities.