Observations on the Endemicity Of Plague in Tanzania

Abstract

A historical introduction of plague as a world disease is given ino1uding a detailed review of plague outbreaks in Tanzania during the last 70 year. The main foci of endemic plague are described together with the early methods of plague control that were employed

Altogether 2.507 rodents of the family MURIDAE belonging to 13 species were caught in houses and in the field in seleote4 plague and non-plague areas using baited live traps. These rodents were subjected to detailed studies of their taxonomy body measurements and flea infestation. Paper-disc blood sample were collected from most of the rodents and sent for serological tests for plague antibodies. A total of 4,522 fleas belonging to 4 families and 10 specie were co11ected from the rodents.