THE PLAGUE

"The word 'plague' conjures up frightening images of the Black Death during the Middle Ages' in fact the bacterium that causes plague (Yersinia pestis) is still among us. There are three types of plague (pneumonic, bubonic, and septicemic); all are transmitted to humans PRIMARILY VIA FLEAS. In some vary rare cases, wild rodents have spread the disease to humans as well."

from "Infectious Medicine 1999"; 16(1):21-23)

Bubonic plague is the most common type of human plague; fortunately it is rare in the U.S. and is confined largely to the Southwest. Persons who live in or have traveled to this region may come in contact with infected animals (rabbits, rock squirrels -- even cats, in recent years). Physicians and health care professionals should keep plague in mind when patients west of the Mississippi present with unexplained febrile illness. If the diagnosis is confirmed, streptomycin is the most commonly prescribed drug; tetracycline is also a good option for treatment."

The insecticide of choice for fleas in Sevin, or carbaryl, powder. If you purchase poultry dust, dog flea powder, or other common insecticides, the active ingredient is usually carbaryl; it is much less expensive to simply purchase 5% Sevin powder in the first place: it can be used on dogs and cats, and sprinkled on carpeting and then vacuumed.

If necessary, entire yards can be sprayed with Sevin if it is used as a wettable powder and sprayed with a pressure sprayer if infested with fleas. Remember that just a little Sevin is death to entire colonies of honeybees, so if a yard must be sprayed, it should be done at night after honeybees have quit flying, and the yard should be thoroughly watered to dilute and wash away any residual Sevin powder the next morning before bees begin flying: any fleas present will be killed during exposure during the night.

 

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