Yersinia pestis infection risk factors
|
Yersinia pestis infection Microchapters |
|
Differentiating Yersinia Pestis Infection from other Diseases |
|---|
|
Diagnosis |
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Yersinia pestis infection risk factors On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Yersinia pestis infection risk factors |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Yersinia pestis infection risk factors |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
People who are at higher risk of being infected with the plague include: people who live in rural areas, near animals such as rodents; people who live in houses where sanitation is poor; and those who deal frequently with animals, such as veterinaries.
Risk Factors
The most important factor associated with the development of plague is the exposure to infected fleas where local rodents are transmitting infection. In the United States, the highest risk of acquiring Yersinia pestis is between February and August (plague season), which corresponds to the timing of the rodent epidemics. Death of the affected rodents is also correlated with better fertility of rodent fleas which are the main vectors for the disease. Other important risk factors for infection by Yersinia pestis include:[1]
- Living in endemic areas especially in warm climates
- Poor sanitation and living conditions
- Unsettled conditions of war and relocations of refugees
- People who handle infected animals (veterinaries)
- People who come in contant with infected animals (hunting, or camping)
References
- ↑ Butler T (2009). "Plague into the 21st century". Clin Infect Dis. 49 (5): 736–42. doi:10.1086/604718. PMID 19606935.