Notes from the Field: Francisella tularensis Type B Infection from a Fish Hook Injury - Minnesota, 2016

On June 27, 2016, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Public Health Laboratory (PHL) was notified of a suspected Francisella tularensis isolate cultured at a hospital laboratory. The isolate was confirmed as F. tularensis type B at MDH PHL by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, culture, and direct fluorescent antibody testing. Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis (type A) and holarctica (type B) bacteria are the causative agents of tularemia.