Globally, which animal is commonly the reservoir host for plague?

Globally, which animal is commonly the reservoir host for plague?

• A. Dogs
• B. Rats
• C. Cats
• D. Beavers

Answer: (B)

Plague is kept in nature by reservoir hosts—animals that harbor the bacterium Yersinia pestis in their populations. The most common global reservoir is rodents, especially rats, because they support large flea populations that become infected and then spread the bacteria to other animals and people. Fleas act as the critical vectors in this cycle, moving the infection from infected rats to humans or other animals. While dogs and cats can contract plague, they are usually incidental hosts rather than reservoirs, and beavers aren’t typically associated with plague as a primary reservoir. So, the best answer is rats, reflecting their widespread role in maintaining the pathogen in nature across many regions.

Plague is kept in nature by reservoir hosts—animals that harbor the bacterium Yersinia pestis in their populations. The most common global reservoir is rodents, especially rats, because they support large flea populations that become infected and then spread the bacteria to other animals and people. Fleas act as the critical vectors in this cycle, moving the infection from infected rats to humans or other animals. While dogs and cats can contract plague, they are usually incidental hosts rather than reservoirs, and beavers aren’t typically associated with plague as a primary reservoir. So, the best answer is rats, reflecting their widespread role in maintaining the pathogen in nature across many regions.