Abstract:
This study investigated mammalian involvement in an
outbreak of bubonic plague in Mbulu District, northern
Tanzania, in March 2007. Plague is a rodent-borne zoo-
notic disease that spreads to humans through fleas
infected with Yersinia pestis. Live trapping of rodents and
shrews was conducted in fallow and crop fields, peri-
domestic areas, houses and the neighboring forest
reserve. Serum was separated from blood of captured
animals. A rapid diagnostic test (RDT) was used for diag-
nosis of plague infection. An ELISA technique was used
to detect antibodies against Yersinia pestis fraction 1
antigen. Wild and commensal rodents tested positive by
RDT, indicating current infection in clinically healthy ani-
mals. The ELISA showed that wild rodents (Lophuromys
flavopunctatus, Praomys delectorum, Graphiurus muri-
nus, Lemniscomys striatus) and commensal rats (Rattus
rattus, Mastomys natalensis, Mus minutoides) were Y.
pestis-positive. Two potential vectors, Xenopsylla brasi-
liensis and Dinopsyllus lypusus, were found on wild and
commensal rodents with a flea index of 1.8. We conclude
that diverse potential mammalian reservoirs and efficient
vectors of Y. pestis are present in abundance in Dongo-
besh and could lead to persistence and future plague
outbreaks.
