Quck answer
Yes, it is possible to catch plague from a prairie dog. Prairie dogs can carry fleas infected with the bacteria that causes plague. When a flea bites a prairie dog infected with plague, it can then bite a human and transmit the bacteria. It is important to avoid contact with prairie dogs and their burrows in areas where plague is known to be present. Symptoms of plague in humans include fever, chills, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes. If you suspect you have been exposed to plague, seek medical attention immediately.
Wild Animals
Prairie dogs are highly susceptible to bubonic plague, which can also be transmitted to humans. While most animals that carry diseases are passive carriers or vectors, like your cat, they can still pose a threat to humans. In states such as Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, where bubonic plague has historically been prevalent, cats can potentially become infected by eating prairie dogs that have the bacteria.
Prairie dogs are rodents that belong to the squirrel family and are native to the United States. They are highly social animals that live in large colonies, which are made up of smaller groupings called wards. Each ward consists of coteries, or family units, made up of one male, one to four females, and their offspring. Prairie dogs communicate through whistles and chirps and touch teeth when greeting each other.
Despite their cute appearance and social nature, prairie dogs are not always welcomed by livestock ranchers who view them as competition for grazing land. Additionally, the mounded burrow entrances can cause injuries to cattle. In response, the government has authorized controlled poisonings of prairie dogs on privately owned land.
The prairie dog population has decreased by an estimated 98% due to the effects of plague bacteria and conflict with ranchers. They are classified as a keystone species, and their well-being is important for the livelihood of many nonrelated flora and fauna. For example, the black-footed ferret relies on prairie dogs as its main prey, and the species has drifted toward extinction partially from lack of food.
Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and arrived in North America around 1900, most likely from Chinese cargo ships. At least 76 wild mammals are known to carry the disease, with rats being the probable source in North America. Once plague infects a prairie dog colony, the mortality rate is around 100%.
The transmission of plague-infected blood between animals occurs through fleas. When the disease passes between rodents, such as squirrels and prairie dogs, it is known as sylvatic plague. Flea bites are the most common way for the disease to cross over into humans. When fleas feed on a new host, they can deliver the bacterium that clogs their digestive system, causing them to regurgitate bacteria into the host’s bloodstream when they attempt to feed. Prairie dogs are particularly vulnerable to plague, and when the bacterium enters a colony, it can quickly turn into an epidemic with a mortality rate of almost 100 percent. However, humans generally do not catch plague from prairie dogs due to the high mortality rate and the fact that North Americans rarely come into close contact with them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people usually contract plague from infected fleas, and ground squirrels and wood rats are the most common carriers of the disease in the country. Improved sanitation practices, pesticides, and antibiotics have reduced the incidence of plague in the United States, and today, 90 percent of cases occur in Africa. Different types of plague exist, depending on how it is contracted, including bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic plague. All forms of plague are treatable with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can have a 30 to 60 percent mortality rate. Since the entire rodent population is so widespread, plague is likely to remain a threat for a long time. It is advisable to keep your distance from prairie dogs, but the disease is more likely to be transmitted by much smaller carriers.
Additional Information
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More Useful Links
- AnimalPlanet.com
- The National Zoo – Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
- CDC – Plague Training
- World Health Organization – Plague
Sources
- “Black-Tailed Prairie Dog.” The National Zoo. (Aug. 28, 2008)http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/NorthAmerica/Facts/fact-pdog.cfm
- Grady, Denise and Altman, Lawrence K. “Beyond Cute: Exotic Pets Come Bearing Exotic Germs.” The New York Times. June 17, 2003. (Aug. 28, 2008)http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9400E7DF1238F934A25755C0A9659C8B63
- Hoogland, John L. “Conservation of the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog.” Island Press. 2006. (Aug. 27, 2008)http://books.google.com/books?id=WL23Po48YeEC
- Johnsgard, Paul A. “Prairie Dog Empire.” University of Nebraska Press. 2005. (Aug. 28, 2008)http://books.google.com/books?id=v1DKQL0OBigC
- O’Connor, Michael. “Bubonic plague reported in Scotts Bluff County.” Omaha World-Herald. Aug. 5, 2008. (Aug. 27, 2008)http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1219&u_sid=10398657
- Ostfeld, Richard S.; Keesing, Felicia; and Eviner, Valerie T. “Infectious Disease Ecology.” Princeton University Press. 2008. (Aug. 28, 2008)http://books.google.com/books?id=rm3yD35ExvsC
- “Plague.” World Health Organization. Revised February 2005. (Aug. 28, 2008)http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs267/en/
- “Plague and Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. March 23, 1999. (Aug. 28, 2008)http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/btprairiedog/plague.htm
- “Plague Fact Sheet.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jan. 7, 2005. (Aug. 28, 2008)http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/resources/plagueFactSheet.pdf
- “Plague in the United States.” Denver Animal Control. Denvergov.com. (Aug. 28, 2008)http://www.denvergov.com/AnimalControl/VectorControl/VectorControl12/tabid/377839/Default.aspx
- “Plague Training.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated Sept. 7, 2004. (Aug. 28, 2008)http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/plague/trainingmodule/1/
- Stenseth, Nils Chr.; Atshabar, Bakyt B.; Begon, Mike; Belmain, Steven R.; Bertherat, Eric; Carniel, Elisabeth; Gage, Kenneth L..; Leirs, Herwig; and Rahalison, Lila. “Plague: Past, Present, and Future.” Public Library of Science Medicine. Jan. 15, 2008. (Aug. 28, 2008)http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0050003&ct=1
- “Sylvatic Plague Immunization in Black-footed Ferrets and Prairie Dogs.” National Wildlife Health Center. USGS. Updated Aug. 11, 2008. (Aug. 28, 2008)http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/sylvatic_plague/index.jsp
FAQ
1. What is the plague?
The plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is known for causing pandemics throughout history, such as the Black Death in the 14th century.
2. Can prairie dogs carry the plague?
Yes, prairie dogs can carry the bacterium Yersinia pestis and transmit it to humans through fleas. This is known as sylvatic plague.
3. How can humans get infected with the plague from prairie dogs?
Humans can get infected with the plague from prairie dogs by being bitten by fleas that have fed on infected prairie dogs or by handling infected prairie dogs or their carcasses without proper protection.
4. Can I get the plague from a prairie dog as a pet?
It is possible to get the plague from a prairie dog kept as a pet if the prairie dog is infected with the bacterium and transmits it to you through fleas. It is important to take precautions when handling pet prairie dogs and to ensure they are healthy.
5. What are the symptoms of the plague?
The symptoms of the plague include fever, chills, weakness, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease can progress to pneumonia or septicemia if left untreated.
6. Can the plague be treated?
Yes, the plague can be treated with antibiotics if caught early. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect you have been infected with the plague.
7. Is there a vaccine for the plague?
There is currently no vaccine for the plague, but research is ongoing to develop one.
8. How can I prevent getting the plague from prairie dogs?
To prevent getting the plague from prairie dogs, avoid handling them or their carcasses without proper protection, such as gloves. Keep pets treated for fleas, and use insect repellent when camping or hiking in areas where the plague is endemic.
9. Should I be concerned about the plague from prairie dogs?
While the risk of getting the plague from prairie dogs is low, it is important to take precautions when handling them or being in areas where the disease is endemic. If you experience symptoms of the plague, seek medical attention immediately.
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