Tularemia Pathogen: a small aerobic pleomorphic gram-negative bacillus, Francisella tularensis(Many animal species may harbor the organism, most prominently rabbits, squirrels, and muskrats) Endemic in North America(type A), endemic in Europe and Asia (type B) Humans acquire the infection through various means: direct contact with infected animal tissues, ingestion of contaminated water or meat from the bite of an infected tick or deer fly, or by breathing an aerosol of bacteriaTularemia : • Pathogen: a small aerobic pleomorphic gram-negative bacillus, Francisella tularensis (Many animal species may harbor the organism, most prominently rabbits, squirrels, and muskrats) • Endemic in North America(type A), endemic in Europe and Asia (type B) • Humans acquire the infection through various means: direct contact with infected animal tissues, ingestion of contaminated water or meat, from the bite of an infected tick or deer Ply, or by breathing an aerosol of bacteria