Transmission Studies of Sylvatic Plague.

Abstract

The evaluation of the vector efficiency of a species of arthropod incriminated in the transmission of an infectious agent must necessarily take into consideration the following factors: (1) The infection potential, (2) the vector potential, and (3) the transmission potential. The infection potential is based upon the percentage of a given species in which the infection becomes established or the disposition of this species to accept the invasion of the organism of the infection. The vector potential is based upon the percentage of infected individuals which become infective. The transmission potential is the mean number of transmissions effected by a group of infective individuals. The product of these factors will represent the number of transmissions effected by a given number of any species or the vector efficiency.To determine if a given species of flea was capable of transmitting Pasteurella pestis (Yersin) mass feeding experiments were first conducted. When transmission ability was established in a ...