Can tularemia be contracted by inhaling dust?

Tularemia can indeed be contracted through the inhalation of dust from contaminated soil. This is because the bacteria that cause tularemia, Francisella tularensis, can survive in the environment, particularly in soil and water. When these contaminated materials become aerosolized—often through activities like farming, outdoor recreation, or disturbances in the environment—people can be exposed to the bacteria through respiratory routes.

The option indicating that tularemia is not air-borne is misleading because while it is not classified as a traditional airborne disease (like tuberculosis), inhalation of contaminated dust is a recognized mode of transmission. Additionally, while urban settings and animal droppings can play a role in exposure risk, they do not encompass the full scope of potential contracting methods via inhalation. Thus, the recognition of soil as a source from which the bacteria can be aerosolized solidifies the understanding of how tularemia can be transmitted through respiratory exposure.