Landscape professionals working in Martha’s Vineyard seem to be a favorite target of tularemia, a potentially fatal disease rarely seen in humans.
Four new cases are suspected on the island, bringing the total to 22 since 2000. And of the new cases, all have infected landscapers or others who work outside.
Since most of the tularemia cases have been pneumonic, health officials suspect the bacteria is being carried via dirt or grass particles. This explains why many cases involve outdoor employees – mostly landscape contractors.
Tularemia is a bacterial infection passed to humans through bites from dog ticks that carry the bacteria. Officials investigating the island’s cases have been testing animals for evidence of the disease.
Authorities are now advising landscapers to wear dust masks when working until more information is gathered about the spread of the rare bacteria.