Plague in Tanzania: first report of sylvatic plague in Morogoro region, persistence in Mbulu focus, and ongoing quiescence in Lushoto and Iringa foci.
IJID REGIONS 2022;
4:105-110. [PMID:
35880003 PMCID:
PMC9307448 DOI:
10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.06.006]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Six (0.93%) rodents carried antibodies against Yersinia pestis fraction 1 antigens.
There is evidence of Y. pestis circulation in small mammals in Morogoro.
Plague continues to persist in small mammals in Mbulu.
There is ongoing quiescence in Lushoto and Iringa plague foci.
Objectives
Plague has been a threat to human health in Tanzania since 1886. This zoonotic disease has established several endemic foci in the country, posing a risk of outbreaks. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of Yersinia pestis in small mammals in five districts. These districts were selected because of recent (Mbulu), past (40-18 years ago: Lushoto) and historic (>100 years ago: Iringa and Kilolo) human cases of plague. In addition, one region that has not had any reported human cases of plague was included (Morogoro-Mvomero).
Methods
Blood from 645 captured small mammals was screened for antibodies against the fraction 1 (F1) antigen of Y. pestis using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and competitive-blocking ELISA.
Results
Specific antibodies against Y. pestis F1 antigens were detected in six (0.93%) animals belonging to Mastomys natalensis. Of these, four animals were captured in the active focus in Mbulu, and two animals were captured from an area with no history of human plague (Morogoro-Mvomero).
Conclusion
These results provide evidence of the circulation of Y. pestis in small mammals in Tanzania. Furthermore, evidence of the circulation of Y. pestis in Morogoro-Mvomero highlights the importance of carrying out plague surveillance in areas with no history of human plague, which can help to predict areas where future outbreaks may occur.
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