Which tick-borne disease is highly infectious and affects both animals and humans?

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which is known for its high infectivity and ability to affect a wide range of hosts, including both animals and humans. The disease can be transmitted to humans through various routes, including bites from infected ticks or contact with infected animals, making it particularly concerning in terms of public health and vector control.

One of the reasons tularemia stands out is its potential to be transmitted through handling infected animal tissues, ingestion of contaminated water, or inhalation of contaminated aerosols, alongside traditional vector-borne transmission. This versatility in transmission routes contributes to its classification as highly infectious.

In contrast, while diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, and Powassan virus are indeed significant concerns regarding vector-borne illnesses, they primarily emphasize specific transmission routes associated with tick bites. In addition, Lyme disease, while prevalent in many regions, does not exhibit the same level of infectious potential as tularemia regarding its range of transmission methods between species. Hence, when considering the scope and mode of transmission, tularemia is noted for its ability to infect a variety of hosts and is significant in discussions around zoonotic diseases in both veterinary and human health contexts.