What species are typically at risk for developing plague infection?
Plague exists in nature as a disease of wild rodents, including rats, ground squirrels, and prairie dogs. Plague is transmitted primarily by fleas as part of an etiologic agent (Y. pestis)-arthropod vector-vertebrate host cycle. Carnivores (e.g., dogs, coyotes, raccoons, and skunks) may become infected, but with the exception of cats, they rarely develop clinical signs. Infection of carnivores is most likely due to ingestion of plague-infected animals rather than fleabites. Domestic cats appear to be at increased susceptibility and about 50% of those affected will eventually succumb to the disease.
