Exploring and Mitigating Plague for One Health Purposes

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Yersinia pestis, the bacterium causing sylvatic plague, has historically been studied primarily for its impact on human health.
• The bacterium's ecology is deeply intertwined with mammals and fleas, posing a significant threat to ecosystems by reducing species diversity and altering food webs.
• Yersinia pestis can cause 'shifting baselines syndrome' in humans, altering perceptions of environmental health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To increase awareness of Yersinia pestis and its impact beyond human health.
• To highlight plague mitigation strategies within a One Health framework, emphasizing optimal health for people, animals, plants, and their environment.
• To build upon the U.S. House of Representatives' directive for a national One Health framework to combat zoonotic diseases.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing research on Yersinia pestis, drawing primarily from examples in the USA.
• Inclusion of relevant research from Madagascar and Uganda where Yersinia pestis is an emerging zoonotic threat.
• Discussion of flea vector control and its implications for One Health.

Main Results:

• Yersinia pestis significantly impacts multiple ecosystems, affecting species abundance, diversity, and ecological relationships.
• While eradication is difficult, effective mitigation of Yersinia pestis is achievable through targeted interventions.
• The bacterium poses an unrelenting threat, transforming ecosystems and impacting wildlife populations.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need for expanded research on Yersinia pestis across diverse hosts, flea species, and ecosystems.
• Collaborative, multisectoral research is crucial to define the scope of the problem and implement effective mitigation practices.
• The implications of Yersinia pestis for wildlife and human health necessitate a comprehensive One Health approach.