A person usually becomes infected with tularemia when the bacterium enters the body through broken skin or mucous membranes.

Infection can occur following a tick bite, a mosquito or horsefly bite, contact with infected animals or an environment contaminated by their excretions, or through the consumption of contaminated water or food. Infection via the respiratory route is also possible by inhaling dust containing the causative agents of tularemia.

The disease is not transm...