Biologist Heads Rodent Research Team to Introduce Oral Medication Against Fleas, Aiming to Eliminate Plague Transmission via Prairie Dogs and Associated Rodents

In a recent development, a resident of South Lake Tahoe has tested positive for plague, a disease that has been a part of the western U.S. landscape for over a century. Here's a look at what we know about this ancient scourge and its current status.

The bacterium responsible for plague, known as Yersinia pestis, can live in the soil and be passed around among wildlife, making outbreaks more difficult to detect. While black rats were once thought to be the primary carriers of the disease, recent studies suggest that it can be transmitted by a variety of animals, including rodents such as prairie dogs, squirrels, and rabbits, as well as larger mammals like mountain lions, coyotes, and even domestic cats and dogs.

Plague can take several forms, with bubonic plague being the most common. However, septicemic and pneumonic plague also pose a threat. The latter two forms are particularly concerning as they can be spread through the air, potentially leading to more widespread outbreaks.

In the U.S., plague outbreaks are typically confined to rural areas west of the 100th meridian, where larger rodent colonies are more common. These areas have seen a number of plague cases each year, with around a dozen reports in animals during the summer months.

Conservationists have been working to protect one of the animals most at risk from plague: the black-footed ferret. This at-risk species has faced significant challenges due to the disease, with efforts underway to vaccinate ferrets to help ensure their survival.

For those living in rural parts of western states, it's essential to be aware of their surroundings and report large prairie dog die-offs to local health authorities. It's also important to give pets flea prevention treatments to help reduce the risk of plague transmission.

While plague poses a low risk to people living in Western countries like the U.S., it can still infect humans through an infected flea or through intermediary animals like dogs and domestic cats. It's crucial to take precautions and report any suspected cases to health authorities.

Eradicating plague requires a thorough understanding of how it spreads, as it is endemic in the western U.S. and still not fully understood how it persists during times without outbreaks. Scientists continue to study the disease to better understand its complexities and develop strategies to control its spread.

In the face of this ongoing threat, it's important to stay informed and take appropriate precautions to protect ourselves and the wildlife that call the western U.S. home.

Biologist Heads Rodent Research Team to Introduce Oral Medication Against Fleas, Aiming to Eliminate Plague Transmission via Prairie Dogs and Associated Rodents