Prairie dogs can carry the plague, a disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. This is a natural occurrence within their ecosystem, particularly in certain western states where the disease, known as sylvatic plague, is regularly found in prairie habitats.
Prairie Dogs and the Plague’s Cycle
Fleas act as the main vectors, transmitting the bacteria between prairie dogs and other small mammals. When an infected flea bites a prairie dog, the bacteria can rapidly multiply within the animal’s system.
Prairie dog colonies are highly susceptible to plague, and outbreaks can lead to significant die-offs. During such events, upward of 90 percent of a colony can perish within weeks to several months.
The impact of plague on prairie dog populations extends beyond the animals themselves, affecting the entire local ecosystem. Prairie dogs are considered a keystone species, meaning their presence influences many other species and the habitat itself. When a colony is decimated, it can disrupt the food chain for predators and alter the landscape as grasses grow taller without their grazing.
Human Transmission and Risk
Humans can contract plague, mainly through bites from infected fleas that have left a dead or sick animal. Fleas from infected rodents, including prairie dogs, can transmit the disease when they seek new hosts. Direct contact with infected prairie dog tissues or fluids, such as handling a sick or dead animal, also poses a risk.
While less common, transmission can also occur through inhalation of infectious droplets, though this is considered rare. This airborne form, known as pneumonic plague, typically develops when bacteria spread to the lungs from other forms of plague or from close contact with an infected person or animal with pneumonic plague.
Plague, when detected early, is treatable with antibiotics. Medical professionals may use medications like gentamicin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, or moxifloxacin. Prompt treatment is important, as untreated cases can be fatal.
Symptoms in humans typically appear within a few days of exposure and often resemble the flu. These can include sudden high fever, headache, chills, and weakness. In bubonic plague, the most common form, swollen, painful lymph nodes called buboes may also develop.
Protecting Yourself
Avoiding direct contact with wild rodents, especially those that appear sick or are found dead, is an important preventive measure. This includes not disturbing prairie dog colonies or their burrows. If you must handle a sick or dead animal, wear gloves to prevent direct exposure to fluids or tissues.
Using insect repellent containing DEET when in areas where plague is known to occur can help deter fleas. Protecting pets from fleas is also advisable, particularly if they roam outdoors in endemic areas, as pets can bring infected fleas into homes.
Regularly inspecting pets for fleas and using veterinarian-recommended flea control products can reduce the risk of transmission. While human cases of plague are rare, remaining aware of these precautions can help mitigate potential exposure risks.