Approximately 200 cases of
tularemia in humans are reported annually in the United States, mostly in
persons living in the south-central and western states. Tularemia is an
occupational risk for farmers, foresters, and veterinarians, and is listed by
the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of the six
category A, or high-priority, biological warfare agents. Nearly all cases of
tularemia occur
in rural areas and are associated with the bites of infected ticks, mosquitoes,
and biting flies or with the handling of infected rodents, rabbits, or hares.
Less commonly, tularemia can be contracted through ingestion of contaminated
food or water or by inhalation. Release of the bacteria in a aerosolized form is
the most likely method to be used in bioterrorism.
Tularemia is extremely infectious. Relatively few bacteria are required to cause
the disease, which is why it is an attractive weapon for use in bioterrorism.
The following questions link to information relevant to tularemia exposure in
the workplace.
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