First Reported Prairie Dog–to-Human Tularemia Transmission, Texas, 2002

A tularemia outbreak, caused by Francisella tularensis type B, occurred among wild-caught, Scarf commercially traded prairie dogs.F.tularensis microagglutination titers in one exposed person indicated recent infection.These findings represent the first evidence for prairie-dog-to-human tularemia transmission and demonstrate potential human health Starters risks of the exotic pet trade.