A investigation of plague foci in Beipanjiang Basin, Guizhou Province / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To survey the major host animal and media fleas of plague in Beipanjiang Basin,to gain insights into plague foci and to provide a basis for prevention and control of plague.Methods According to the epidemiological site survey methods,from 2008 to 2010 five villages in five townships (towns) in coastal watershed of Beipanjiang were selected.The methods of cage trapping and 5 meters thread clamp were used to capture rodents indoor and outdoor,respectively.After rats were anesthetized with ether anesthesia,rat body flea were combed and stored in sterile tubes.The liver and spleen of rodents were collected and stored in the test tube with preservation solution,and free body fleas on rats were collected with flea sticky paper and stored in sterile tubes.Blood specimens (5 ml) of indicating animal and normal people were collected,serum was separated and sent for laboratory test.The four-step method was utilized to isolate Yersinia pestis from rodents and fleas,the indirect hemagglutination (IHA) was used to test F1 antibodies on the blood of rodents filter,blood serum of humans and rodents.Results Totally 243 rodents were captured,202 indoor and 41 outdoor,the capture rate was 4.90％ and 1.15％,respectively.Rodents captured belong to 9 species,4 genera,1 family and 1 order,Rattus flavipectus and Mus pahari were dominant species.Five rodents had body flea,the dyed flea rate was 2.06％;53 fleas were captured,total flea index was 0.218 1.Rat fleas were classified in 2 families,2 genera and 2 species,and Cheopis was the dominant species.Yersinia pestis and plague F1 were not detected.Conclusion The epidemic indication has not been found in Beipanjiang Basin,but the nurturing conditions for Rattus flavipectus plague foci along the coast are exist.