Susceptibility of Rodents to Oral Plague Infection: A Mechanism for the Persistence of Plague in Inter-Epidemic Periods
Abstract
Oral infection of rodents with Pasteurella pestis has been demonstrated with both fully virulent and avirulent strains. Sustained rodent plague epizootics have been initiated and maintained in the absence of the classical flea vector. Transmission was due to cannibalism of the dying rodents by their healthy cagemates. Oral infection is considered to provide a plausible mechanism for the persistence of plague in an area where conditions are temporarily unsuitable for flea transmission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 07, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0744588
Entities
People
- D. C. Cavanaugh
- Daniel N. Harrison
- James H. Rust Jr.
- John D. Marshall Jr.
Organizations
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research