Tularemia

Tularemia is a rare zoonotic infection caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. The disease is endemic in North America and parts of Europe and Asia. Arthropods (ticks and deer flies) are the main transmission vector, and small animals (rabbits, hares, and muskrats) serve as reservoir hosts. The clinical presentation depends on the bacterial subspecies and the route of infection. Recent world events have led to a new recognition of F tularensis as a viable agent of bioterrorism, which has sparked a renewed focus on this pathogen.