title: Historical distribution and host-vector diversity of Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, in Ukraine
abstract: Our findings confirm the presence of long-standing natural foci of F. tularensis in Ukraine. Given the history of tularemia as well as its environmental persistence there exists a possibility of (re)emergence in human populations. Heterogeneity in the distribution of tularemia isolate recovery related to land cover type supports the theory of natural nidality and clusters identify areas to target potential sources of the pathogen and improve surveillance.
journal: Parasites & Vectors