Ectozoochory by hares (Lepus Crawshayi) in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Volume: 7

Landscape and Residential Variables Associated with Plague-Endemic Villages in the West Nile Region of Uganda

Plague, caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis , is a severe, often fatal disease. This study focuses on the plagueendemic West Nile region of Uganda, where limited information is available regarding environmental and behavioral risk factors associated with plague infection. We conducted observational surveys of 10 randomly selected huts within historically classified case and control villages (four each) two times during the dry season of 2006 ( N = 78 case huts and N = 80 control huts), which immediately preceded a large plague outbreak. By coupling a previously published landscape-level statistical model of plague risk with this observational survey, we were able to identify potential residence-based risk factors for plague associated with huts within historic case or control villages (e.g., distance to neighboring homestead and presence of pigs near the home) and huts within areas previously predicted as elevated risk or low risk (e.g., corn and other annual crops grown near the home, water storage in the home, and processed commercial foods stored in the home). The identified variables are consistent with current ecologic theories on plague transmission dynamics. This preliminary study serves as a foundation for future case control studies in the area

Pneumonic Plague Cluster, Uganda, 2004

In a case cluster, pneumonic plague transmission was compatible with respiratory droplet rather than aerosol transmission

INVASIVE RATS AND BUBONIC PLAGUE IN NORTHWEST UGANDA

Major introductions of roof rats (Rattus rattus) likely occurred in the ports of East Africa during the Third Plague Pandemic in the late 1800’s. Transport via trains, boats, and trucking likely introduced this species to inland areas of East Africa, ultimately including Northwest Uganda. Historic plague outbreaks occurred during the early part of the 20th century and continue to cause a human disease burden in the West Nile region of NW Uganda via the bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic forms. Four field sites in this area were trapped to determine the rodent species composition in commensal and peridomestic areas of villages and associated flea burdens of the rodents. Rattus rattus were the most prevalent rodent trapped in commensal areas followed by the Nile rat (Arvicanthis niloticus). The most common peridomestic species of rodent was the Nile rat. Other peridomestic rodent species captured included, Mastomys natalensis, Lophuromys flavopunctatus, L. sikapusi, Gerbil (Tatera spp.), Lemniscomys spp., and 4 unknown species. Flea burdens on commensal R. rattus averaged 1.7±1.2 fleas per animal and on all peridomestic rodents, average 2.0±0.7 per animal. Additionally, commensal areas were sampled to determine free-living flea populations. Burrow swabbing indicated an average 0.19±0.12 fleas/burrow. Lighted flea traps averaged 1.3±0.6 fleas per household and dark flea traps averaged 0.5±0.4 fleas per household

Landscape and Residential Variables Associated with Plague-Endemic Villages in the West Nile Region of Uganda

Plague, caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis , is a severe, often fatal disease. This study focuses on the plagueendemic West Nile region of Uganda, where limited information is available regarding environmental and behavioral risk factors associated with plague infection. We conducted observational surveys of 10 randomly selected huts within historically classified case and control villages (four each) two times during the dry season of 2006 ( N = 78 case huts and N = 80 control huts), which immediately preceded a large plague outbreak. By coupling a previously published landscape-level statistical model of plague risk with this observational survey, we were able to identify potential residence-based risk factors for plague associated with huts within historic case or control villages (e.g., distance to neighboring homestead and presence of pigs near the home) and huts within areas previously predicted as elevated risk or low risk (e.g., corn and other annual crops grown near the home, water storage in the home, and processed commercial foods stored in the home). The identified variables are consistent with current ecologic theories on plague transmission dynamics. This preliminary study serves as a foundation for future case control studies in the area