SUBMISSION CRITERIA FOR PLAGUE TESTING OF RODENTS (CARCASSES AND SERUM) IN CALIFORNIA
Based on the knowledge acquired during many years of plague surveillance in California by the Department of Health Services (CDHS), the following small mammals are the species most appropriate for plague surveillance testing.
California or Beechey ground squirrel Spermophilus beecheyi
Belding’s or Oregon ground squirrel Spermophilus beldingi
Golden-mantled ground squirrel Spermophilus lateralis
Pine squirrel, Douglas’ squirrel, chickaree Tamiasciurus douglasii
Chipmunks (all species) Tamias spp.
Northern flying squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus
Marmot Marmota flaviventris
Woodrats (all species) Neotoma spp.
Deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus
Brush mouse Peromyscus boylii
Canyon mouse Peromyscus crinitus
California mouse, parasitic mouse Peromyscus californicus
Meadow mice, voles (all species) Microtus spp., Clethrionomys spp.
Brush rabbits Sylvilagus spp.
Pika Ochotona princeps
The following animals have limited value in plague surveillance and will be tested only after special arrangements have been made with the CDHS, VBDS.
Gophers Thomomys spp.
Moles Scapanus spp.
Shrews Sorex spp.
Kangaroo rats Dipodomys spp.
Pocket mice Perognathus spp.
Western gray squirrel Sciurus griseus
Jackrabbit Lepus spp.
Rodent carcasses submitted for bacteriological testing should be from an area of known plague occurrence. Other causes of death (e.g., trauma, shooting, poisoning) should be ruled out. The carcass should be fresh and in good condition for testing. (It is difficult to perform a bacteriological test of a desiccated or maggot-ridden carcass due to contamination from other bacteria.) Place the specimen in an appropriately sized clear plastic bag, and then place this bag in a second plastic bag. The bagged specimen should be tagged with locality, date found, contact person or agency, and phone number for notification. Specimen should be packaged with frozen blue-ice and labeled as “Biological Substance, Category B”, and shipped in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
VECTOR-BORNE DISEASE SECTION CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
SUBMISSION CRITERIA FOR PLAGUE TESTING OF WILD CARNIVORE SERA IN CALIFORNIA
Based on knowledge acquired through plague surveillance of large wild animals in California since 1974, the CDHS has determined the following animals as most appropriate to test for serum antibody to plague (Yersinia pestis).
Carnivora
Coyote Canis latrans
Gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Red fox Vulpes vulpes
Black bear Ursus americanus
Raccoon Procyon lotor
Pine marten Martes americana
Striped skunk Mephitis mephitis
Spotted skunk Spilogale putorius
Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata
Badger Taxidea taxus
Mountain lion Puma concolor
Bobcat Lynx rufus
Artiodactyla
Feral pig Sus scrofa
For submission of serum samples from the animals listed above, see page two of the CDHS Plague Surveillance and Testing for 2007 letter.
The following animals have limited value in plague surveillance and samples should not be submitted for plague testing.
Didelphimorphia
Opossum Didelphis virginiana
Rodentia
Beaver Castor canadensis
Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum |