Observations on the epidemiology of plague in Tanzania during the period 1974-1988. 1992

B S Kilonzo
Rodent Research Project, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.

Field and commensal rodents and shrews were live-trapped from selected areas in each of the six zones of the Republic, namely North-eastern, Eastern, Central-western, South-western, Southern and Seaports. The captured animals, small ruminants, humans and small carnivores were serologically tested for specific plague antibodies, using the Passive haemagglutination (PHA) and Passive haemagglutination Inhibition (PHAI) techniques. Taxonomic studies and population densities of rodents and their ectoparasasites were carried out. A total of 5638 animals were captured and 79.9% of them were tested for plague. Of those tested, 2.4% contained agglutinating plague antibodies at serum dilutions of 1:20 and above. The positive rodents were found in Lushoto, Mbulu, Chunya and Monduli districts, as well as at Tanga seaport. These include R. rattus, M. natalensis, A. niloticus and Otomys spp. A total of 7480 human, 293 carnivorous and 425 small ruminant sera were also tested for plague. Seven (2.4%) of the carnivores were positive at serum titres of 1:20-1:80. All the small ruminants were negative. Likewise, 1.4% of the tested human sera contained specific plague antibodies at titres ranging from 1:20-1:60. Out of 6480 fleas collected from the captured small mammals, 5476 were identified. Of these, 34.5%, 20.4%, and 17.8% were X. brasiliensis, D. lypusus and X. cheopis respectively. It was generally concluded that plague was still endemic in several parts of the country, that some foci were active, and that there was a potential risk of accidental introduction and/or transfer of the disease into or out of the country. Establishment and maintenance of surveillance services and facilitating research and control programmes of the disease were recommended.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010930 Plague An acute infectious disease caused by YERSINIA PESTIS that affects humans, wild rodents, and their ectoparasites. This condition persists due to its firm entrenchment in sylvatic rodent-flea ecosystems throughout the world. Bubonic plague is the most common form. Bubonic Plague,Meningeal Plague,Pneumonic Plague,Pulmonic Plague,Black Death,Black Plague,Septicemic Plague,Yersinia pestis Infection
D011159 Population Surveillance Ongoing scrutiny of a population (general population, study population, target population, etc.), generally using methods distinguished by their practicability, uniformity, and frequently their rapidity, rather than by complete accuracy. Surveillance, Population
D004199 Disease Vectors Invertebrates or non-human vertebrates which transmit infective organisms from one host to another. Infectious Disease Vectors,Disease Vector,Disease Vector, Infectious,Disease Vectors, Infectious,Infectious Disease Vector,Vector, Disease,Vector, Infectious Disease,Vectors, Disease,Vectors, Infectious Disease
D005069 Evaluation Studies as Topic Works about studies that determine the effectiveness or value of processes, personnel, and equipment, or the material on conducting such studies. Critique,Evaluation Indexes,Evaluation Methodology,Evaluation Report,Evaluation Research,Methodology, Evaluation,Pre-Post Tests,Qualitative Evaluation,Quantitative Evaluation,Theoretical Effectiveness,Use-Effectiveness,Critiques,Effectiveness, Theoretical,Evaluation Methodologies,Evaluation Reports,Evaluation, Qualitative,Evaluation, Quantitative,Evaluations, Qualitative,Evaluations, Quantitative,Indexes, Evaluation,Methodologies, Evaluation,Pre Post Tests,Pre-Post Test,Qualitative Evaluations,Quantitative Evaluations,Report, Evaluation,Reports, Evaluation,Research, Evaluation,Test, Pre-Post,Tests, Pre-Post,Use Effectiveness
D005423 Siphonaptera An order of parasitic, blood-sucking, wingless INSECTS with the common name of fleas. Aphaniptera,Fleas,Flea
D006385 Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests Serologic tests in which a known quantity of antigen is added to the serum prior to the addition of a red cell suspension. Reaction result is expressed as the smallest amount of antigen which causes complete inhibition of hemagglutination. Hemagglutination Inhibition Test,Inhibition Test, Hemagglutination,Inhibition Tests, Hemagglutination,Test, Hemagglutination Inhibition,Tests, Hemagglutination Inhibition
D006386 Hemagglutination Tests Sensitive tests to measure certain antigens, antibodies, or viruses, using their ability to agglutinate certain erythrocytes. (From Stedman, 26th ed) Hemagglutination Test,Test, Hemagglutination,Tests, Hemagglutination
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000835 Animals, Wild Animals considered to be wild or feral or not adapted for domestic use. It does not include wild animals in zoos for which ANIMALS, ZOO is available. Animals, Nondomestic,Animals, Nondomesticated,Animals, Feral,Stray Animals,Animal, Feral,Animal, Nondomestic,Animal, Nondomesticated,Animal, Stray,Animal, Wild,Animals, Stray,Feral Animal,Feral Animals,Nondomestic Animal,Nondomestic Animals,Nondomesticated Animal,Nondomesticated Animals,Stray Animal,Wild Animal,Wild Animals
D012377 Rodentia A mammalian order which consists of 29 families and many genera. Beavers,Capybaras,Castor Beaver,Dipodidae,Hydrochaeris,Jerboas,Rodents,Beaver,Capybara,Hydrochaeri,Jerboa,Rodent,Rodentias

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