Prevalence and Distribution of Plague and Tularemia in Small Mammals of Grand Teton National Park

Abstract

Sylvatic plague (Yersinia pestis) and tularemia (Francisella tularensis) are infectious bacterial diseases that can be transmitted from wild mammals to humans by insects or through direct contact. Although cases of plague and tularemia have been reported in the southwest, a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence, distribution and dynamics of these diseases is lacking. During the months of June and July 2000 we sampled small mammals in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) for antibodies of these zoonotic diseases. This survey was conducted in conjunction with a large scale population dynamics study, lead by Dr. Brian Miller, Denver Zoological society, and Dr. Hank Harlow, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming. A published survey of plague and tularemia has not been conducted in GTNP. In 1996, Dr. Fredrick Jannett looked for plague in the genus Microtus and found low incidence