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Entomological Background of the Distribution of Murine Typhus and Murine Plague in the United States¹

There are three areas favorable to existence of murine typhus and murine plague on the United States mainland:

a. The narrow Pacific Coast area.

b. The Gulf and southern Atlantic Coast area.

c. Smaller and spotty extensions, particularly of "b," up river valleys and in other favorable local situations.

As one proceeds away from the most favorable parts of areas "a" and "b," the size of Oriental rat flea populations, in general, diminishes; the distances between the highest populations becomes increasingly great; the "islands" of such populations smaller and less stable; and the percentage of rats infested also smaller. Finally, at the outermost extremities, populations of any size cover only small unit areas such as single isolated houses, barns, and dumps. Murine typhus and murine plague have been restricted so far within areas favorable to Oriental rat fleas. Murine plague has, to date, been more restricted than murine typhus, largely due to the fact that it is more self-limiting and somewhat more easy to control than is murine plague.

¹ From the Communicable Disease Center, Public Health Service, Federal Security Agency, 605 Volunteer Bldg., Atlanta 3, Georgia