What We Do
Although tularemia remains rare in humans in France, it can be serious. Several outbreaks have occurred since the establishment of national surveillance in 2002.
Certain populations are particularly at risk due to their occupation or recreational activities. Furthermore, F. tularensis is considered a bacterium that could potentially be used for malicious purposes.
In this context, Santé publique France is tasked with the epidemiological surveillance of tularemia in humans in France.
Epidemiological surveillance of tularemia
Santé publique France:
centralizes reports of human tularemia cases at the national level and analyzes surveillance data;
provides scientific expertise to the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) for epidemiological investigations;
provides support to health authorities for the implementation of control and prevention measures.
Mandatory reporting
Mandatory reporting involves collecting as comprehensive information as possible regarding all cases of certain diseases known as “notifiable diseases” from laboratory technicians and physicians.
It involves two successive procedures: reporting and notification.
Physicians and laboratory professionals who suspect or diagnose a notifiable disease must report it immediately and by any appropriate means (telephone, fax, email) to the physician at the Regional Health Agency (ARS) in their area of practice.
The report allows the ARS physician to implement individual and collective preventive measures around the cases and, if necessary, to initiate investigations to identify the source of the infection and take action to reduce it.
Notification occurs after the report and most often after confirmation of the diagnosis. Reporting physicians or laboratory professionals notify the ARS physician at their place of practice using a form specific to each disease. Notification enables the analysis and monitoring of the progression of these diseases within the population in order to better target local and national prevention efforts.
Definition of tularemia cases to be reported and notified
| Reported cases | Type of notification form | Notified cases |
Reporting and notification criteria Suggestive clinical presentation associated with: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possible cases | Simple, downloadable form | Possible cases |
Possible case – shared exposure with a confirmed case |
| Probable cases | Probable cases |
Probable case – detection of specific antibodies in a single serum sample with a titer greater than or equal to the laboratory threshold |
|
| Confirmed cases | Confirmed cases |
Confirmed case 1. Isolation of F. tularensis from clinical specimens or |
Notification Form
Informing the public about the reporting of notifiable diseases
Surveillance partners:
Regional Health Agencies (ARS) - List and locations: http://www.ars.sante.fr
National Reference Center – Expert Laboratory
Grenoble University Hospital
(CHU) Head: Prof. Max MAURIN Tel.: 04 76 76 95 94 (Hospital); 04 76 63 74 84 (Fac)
Email: mmaurin@chu-grenoble.fr
Address:
Grenoble-Alpes University
Hospital Bacteriology Laboratory
Institute of Biology and Pathology
Boulevard Chantourne - CS 10217 - 38043 Grenoble Cedex 9
Secretariat: 04 76 76 54 79 - Fax: 04 76 76 52 28 CNR-LE Francisella
tularensis website: http://www.chu-grenoble.fr/content/centre-national-de-reference-des-francisella
To learn more about the missions of the National Reference Centers, click here
French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES): https://www.anses.fr/fr
National Office for Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS): www.oncfs.gouv.fr/
Reference materials
Circular of February 10, 2003, regarding the new system for the anonymized reporting of notifiable infectious diseases. Bull Epidemiol Hebd 2003;12-13.
Circular DGS/SD5 No. 2002-492 of September 20, 2002, regarding the mandatory transmission of individual data to the health authority in cases of tularemia.
