What animal carries the bubonic plague?

The bubonic plague is an infection of the lymphatic system, usually resulting from the bite of an infected flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (the Oriental rat flea). Several flea species carried the bubonic plague, such as Pulex irritans (the human flea), Xenopsylla cheopis, and Ceratophyllus fasciatus.

What animal carries the bubonic plague?

Bubonic plague is an infection spread mostly to humans by infected fleas that travel on rodents. Called the Black Death, it killed millions of Europeans during the Middle Ages. Prevention doesn’t include a vaccine but does involve reducing your exposure to mice, rats, squirrels, and other animals that may be infected.

Plague primarily affects wild and domestic rodents. Rabbits and hares are sometimes affected. Cats are also very susceptible. Rare cases have developed in goats, sheep, and camels.

The recent squirrel case, which quickly made the rounds on national news outlets, was the first incident of the plague in Jefferson County, Colorado — but only since 2017, the county’s press release notes.