First Evidence of Plague (Yersinia Pestis) in Nebraska is Found in Panhandle Predators

Authors

Dallas Virchow, University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center
Wayne L. Kramer, Nebraska State Health Department
Charles S. Brown, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Scott E. Hygnstrom, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Alan M. Barnes, U.S. Public Health Service- Centers for Disease Control

Date of this Version

1992

Comments

1992. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, XIX: 49-55. Copyright © 1992 Virchow, Kramer, Brown, Hygnstrom and Barnes.

Abstract

In September, 1992, plague (Yersinia pestis) antibody was found in the blood of a coyote (Canis latrans) (1:128 titer) and a badger (Taxidea taxus) (1:2048 titer) taken near a suspect black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) town in Sioux County. However, a 1989-1991 survey of 96 coyotes taken from nine Nebraska Panhandle counties demonstrated no plague antibodies. Passive hemagglutination tests of Nobuto blood-sampling paper proved useful to quickly survey a predator population that is distributed across a broad geographic area.