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Transmission: Plague is usually transmitted to humans by the bites of infected rodent fleas. During rodent plague outbreaks, many animals die and their hungry fleas seek other sources of blood to survive. Persons and animals that visit places where rodents have recently died from plague risk getting the disease from flea bites. Persons also can become directly infected through handling infected rodents, rabbits, or wild carnivores that prey on these animals, when plague bacteria enter through breaks in the person's skin. House cats also are susceptible to plague. Infected cats become sick and may directly transmit plague to persons who handle or care for them. Also, dogs and cats may bring plague-infected fleas into the home. Inhaling droplets expelled by the coughing of a plague-infected person or animal (especially house cats) can result in plague of the lungs (plague pneumonia). Transmission of plague pneumonia from person to person is uncommon but sometimes results in dangerous epidemics that can quickly spread. ![]() References: Gage KL. Plague. In: Colliers L, Balows A, Sussman M, Hausles WJ, eds. Topley and Wilsons microbiology and microbiological infections, vol 3. London: Edward Arnold Press, 1998:885-903. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of plague. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR, 1996;45(RR-14):1-15. Poland JD, Barnes AM. Plague. In Steele J (ed): Handbook of Zoonoses. Boca Raton, FL:CRC Press, 1979:515-559. Barnes AM. Surveillance
and control of bubonic plague in the United States. Symp Zool Soc Lond,
1982;50:237-270. |
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