Prevention and Control of Yersinia pestis Infections

Prevention and Control

These include immunoprophylaxis by plague vaccine, chemo-prophylaxis by antibiotic therapy, and environmental sanitation.

◗ Prophylactic antibiotic therapy

Prophylactic antibiotic therapy includes prophylaxis with tet-racycline or streptomycin. Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole has also been effective for prophylaxis. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy is recommended for:

·           Contacts of pneumonic plague victims.

·           People who have been exposed to the bites of rodent fleas during a plague outbreak.

·           Persons who have handled an animal known to be infected with the plague bacilli.

Antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended for contacts with bubonic or septicemic plague.

◗ Environmental sanitation

Identifying the source of infection is the key component in pre-venting outbreaks of plague. Rodent control forms the mainstay of prevention of plague in urban area. Trained professionals should apply chemicals to kill fleas and rodents. Education of public in rural plague-endemic areas to avoid handling sick or dead rats and to avoid places where wild animals live is important.