Mondo Description Tularemia is an infection caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. It is more common in rodents and rabbits but has been found in other animals including domestic cats, sheep, birds, and hamsters. Humans can become infected in several different ways: by handling infected animals, through tick or deer fly bites, by drinking contaminated water, or by inhaling contaminated dust or aerosols. Person-to-person transmission has not been reported. The type of tularemia and the particular signs and symptoms vary depending on how the bacteria enter the body. However, fever is seen in most cases. Though tularemia can be life-threatening, most infections can be treated with antibiotics.