Risk Factors for Tularemia

 

People at risk:

(1) hunters

(2) farmers

(3) veterinarians

(4) butchers

(5) fur handlers

(6) laboratory workers

(7) hikers and backpackers

(8) forestry workers

(9) forest rangers

 

Sources of exposure:

(1) direct animal contact

(2) indirect animal contact

(3) biting insects

(4) laboratory acquired

 

Direct animal contact:

(1) ground squirrels

(2) rabbits or hares

(3) voles

(4) muskrats

(5) water rats

(6) lemmings

(7) birds

(8) beavers

 

Direct animal contact may include:

(1) handling

(2) skinning

(3) eating undercooked meat

 

Indirect animal contact:

(1) swimming in or drinking contaminated fresh water

(2) mowing the lawn

(3) brush cutting

 

Biting insect related:

(1) ticks

(2) deer flies

(3) horse flies

(4) mosquitoes

 

The organism is highly infectious. Infection can occur in microbiologists handling bacterial cultures unless special precautions are taken.