Woman diagnosed with rare tularemia infection after mosquito bite in Utsjoki, Finland

Anne Nuorgam from Utsjoki fell ill with tularemia this autumn, a rare infection in northern Finland. She experienced symptoms for nearly a month before receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms began after a mosquito bit Nuorgam on the head, causing swelling at the bite site, followed by other health issues. Initially, she believed she had a residual illness from a previous bout of sickness.

“I sought hospital care when large, egg-sized lumps appeared on my face and neck, making it difficult to turn my head, accompanied by a high fever,” Nuorgam explained. It was only last week, three weeks after the onset of her symptoms, that she was diagnosed with tularemia, as antibodies only become detectable in the blood after that time frame.

Infectious disease specialist Markku Broas confirmed that this case is isolated and attributed the infection to a mosquito from northern Norway. He noted that tularemia is not commonly found in Lapland. The nearest area with confirmed cases is around Oulu, and in August, a rabbit infected with tularemia was discovered in Norway.

Tularemia is typically transmitted among rabbits and possibly other rodents, but not between humans. The most common transmission to humans occurs through mosquito bites, which can transfer the bacterium. Broas emphasized that there is no vaccine for tularemia and standard antibiotics are ineffective; more potent medications are necessary for treatment. However, the infection can sometimes resolve on its own. He reassured that there is no need for alarm over this case, stating there have been no additional infections reported this year. Caution is advised when coming in contact with infected animals.