![]() These infected animals and their fleas serve as long-term reservoirs for the bacteria. Scientists think that plague bacteria circulate at low rates within populations of certain rodents without causing excessive rodent die-off. Wild carnivores can become infected by eating other infected animals. Many types of animals, such as rock squirrels, wood rats, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, mice, voles, and rabbits can be affected by plague. Plague occurs in rural and semi-rural areas of the western United States, primarily in semi-arid upland forests and grasslands where many types of rodent species can be involved. The bacteria that cause plague, Yersinia pestis, maintain their existence in a cycle involving rodents and their fleas. A downloadable version pdf icon is also available. The research program to address biodefense includes both short- and long-term studies targeted at designing, developing, evaluating, and approving specific tools (diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines) needed to defend against possible bioterrorist-caused disease outbreaks.Plague ecology in the United States. NIAID conducts and supports research on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of infections caused by microbes, including those that have the potential for use as biological weapons. How Is NIAID Addressing This Critical Topic? Plague is a category A pathogen which are those organisms/biological agents that pose the highest risk to national security and public health because they can be easily disseminated or transmitted from person to person, result in high mortality rates and have the potential for major public health impact, might cause public panic and social disruption, and require special action for public health preparedness. Why Is the Study of Plague a Priority for NIAID? Human plague infections continue to occur in the western United States, but significantly more cases occur in parts of Africa and Asia. ![]() Without prompt treatment, plague can cause serious illness or death. Although the disease killed millions in Europe during the Middle Ages, antibiotics effectively treat plague today. ![]() ![]() People typically get infected after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the bacterium or by handling a plague-infected animal. Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is a disease that affects humans and other mammals. ![]()
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