DefinitionTularemia is an infection common in wild rodents. It is transmitted to humans by contact with infected animal tissues or by ticks, biting flies, and mosquitoes.Alternative NamesDeerfly fever; Rabbit fever; Pahvant Valley plague; Ohara disease; Yatobyo (Japan); Lemming feverCauses, incidence, and risk factorsTularemia is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis.Humans can get the disease through:Direct contact, through a break in the skin, with an infected animal or its dead bodyThe bite of an infected tick, horsefly, or mosquitoEating infected meat (rare)Areas where the disorder most commonly occurs include North America and parts of Europe and Asia. The illness may continue for several weeks after symptoms begin.Some people may develop pneumonia after being infected. Risk