Eradication of murine typhus fever in a rural area: preliminary report

An attempt to eradicate murine typhus fever by control of rats and rat-fleas in rural foci was carried out in Georgia between July 1953 and May 1954. Anticoagulant rat poisons and DDT powder were the principal agents used. Rats were eliminated from 89% of rat-infested premises and satisfactory flea reduction was achieved.Although premises cleared of rats have become reinfested at a rate of 25% 10-18 months after clearance, typhus fever has apparently been eliminated. On the results reported, the authors believe that eradication of murine typhus fever from rural areas is economically and practically feasible, and that plague in commensal rats may also be eliminated by measures similar to those adopted in this experiment.