What do fleas transmit plague? - briefly
Fleas serve as vectors for the bacterium Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. The Oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) is the principal species responsible for transmission.
What do fleas transmit plague? - in detail
Fleas serve as biological vectors for the bacterium Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. The transmission cycle begins when an infected rodent’s blood is ingested by a feeding flea. The bacterium multiplies within the flea’s foregut, forming a blockage that impedes normal blood flow. This blockage forces the flea to regurgitate infected material into subsequent hosts during subsequent bites, introducing the pathogen directly into the bloodstream.
Key aspects of flea‑mediated plague transmission:
- Primary vector species: Xenopsylla cheopis (oriental rat flea) is the most efficient carrier; other species such as Nosopsyllus fasciatus and Ctenocephalides felis can also transmit the bacterium under certain conditions.
- Blockage formation: Y. pestis produces a polysaccharide matrix that aggregates within the proventriculus, creating a physical obstruction. The resulting feeding difficulty triggers repeated probing and regurgitation.
- Host range: Fleas feed on a variety of mammals, including rodents, humans, and domestic animals, enabling cross‑species spread.
- Environmental factors: Warm, humid climates favor flea proliferation; seasonal peaks in rodent populations increase infection risk.
- Control measures: Insecticide treatment of rodent habitats, use of flea collars on pets, and rodent control reduce vector density and interrupt transmission cycles.
Understanding the flea’s role clarifies why plague outbreaks historically correlate with rodent infestations and why modern prevention focuses on vector control alongside antibiotic therapy.