Plague: Field Surveys in Western United States during Ten Years (1936-1945)

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Abstract
Plague surveys in the Pacific Coast States have been made periodically since two deaths from bubonic plague were reported in 1908. During the last 10-yr. period these surveys have been extended east to include about 40% of continental U. S. and 487 counties in 17 western states. 595,097 rodents, a small number of other animals and 1,186,777 fleas have been collected and examined. Plague was found in 828 field rodents, 9 Norway rats, 80 pools of rodent tissues and 492 pools of rodent fleas. Except for cottontail rabbits all infected animals were roden-tia. There was no correlation between geographical conditions and infected rodents and fleas except that no infection was found in forest interiors or in large cultivated areas without barren spots. The data indicate rather wide spread foci of infection as far east as the 102d meridian. Furthermore, this area has been extending eastward slowly during the past 40 yrs. Strains of Pasteurella pestis from whatever source showed consistent properties. A number of species of fleas may serve as disease vectors and may feed on accidental as well as specific hosts.

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