Francisella tularensis is a very dangerous bacteria spread to humans from infected wild animals by way of tick bites. The disease in humans is called tularemia and can affect the lymphatic, pulmonary and gastrointestinal systems. As few as 10 bacteria are enough to cause serious disease, so researchers must be very careful if they have it in their labs. 

 

 

Diseases

• Tularemia - a disease affecting the lymphatic, pulmonary and gastrointestinal systems

Habitat & Transmission

• Found in many differnet types of animals including rabbits, deer and rodents. 
• Spread to humans by ticks or by contact with animal guts.

Weapons/Defenses

• Can invade the skin causing an ulcer. 
• It then invades the lymphatic system where it causes inflammation and swelling in nearby lymph nodes.   It then forms granulomas and abcesses.

Weaknesses

• Can't move on its own. 
• Must have oxygen to live. 
• Infection usually only occurs once because the immune system learns how to prevent future infection. 
• There is a vaccine that can be given to people at high risk of exposure.