infections
Plague and Other Yersinia Infections
Prevention of Plague
The following measures can help control rodents and prevent flea bites: Removing anything that might attract rodents (such as brush, rock piles, junk, cluttered firewood, and food) from around homes Wearing gloves when handling animals that may be infected (for example, when skinning an animal) Using repellents, such as DEET (diethyltoluamide), when exposure to rodent fleas is possible (for example, while camping, hiking, or working outdoors) Applying products that control fleas to pets If pets roam outside in areas where plague is present, not letting them sleep in a person's bed Vaccines against plague are no longer available in the United States. People who are traveling to locations with a plague outbreak may take an antibiotic such asdoxycycline. Doctors monitor people who have had contact with a person who has pneumonic plague. Their temperature is taken every 4 hours for 6 days. Also, antibiotics are given to prevent the infection from developing. Adults are givendoxycyclineorciprofloxacin, and children are giventrimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. 