Yersinia pestis in bobcats and pumas

Yersinia pestis is a causative agent of plague in mammals. Y. pestis is a group A bioterroism agent causes zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through flea bites, usually appear swollen and tender. Domestic cats are a high source of human plaque infections in North America, which puts pet owners and veterinarians at risk for Y. pestis infections. Twelve cases of transmission of plaque from nondomestic animals have been reported, including direct contact with puma which eventually resulted in death.

Pumas and bobcats are the most widepsread felids in U.S. because the distance they travel. They both may reintroduce Y. pestis positive fleas into distant regions which can greatly contribute to the spread of the plague. The study collected samples from both bobcats and pumas in western United States to analyze for Y.pestis antibody using hemagglutination assay. 17.7% had Y.pestis.Geographic location, capture season, and age were significant factors to the percentage. Colorado had 38% positive animals, whereas California had limited plague seroreactivity of 2.2% of animals tested positive for plague exposure. Death caused by plagues have been documented in wild felids and still remains a concern for vets and hunters.

Bevins SN, Tracey JA, Franklin SP, Schmit VL, MacMillan ML, Gage KL, et al, "Wild felids as hosts for human plague, western United States"Emerging Infectious Diseases,December,2009,

Drancourt M, Roux V, Dang LV, Tran-Hung L, Castex D, Chenal-Francisque V, et al,"Genotyping, Orientalis-like Yersinia pestis, and plague pandemics" Emerging Infectious Disease,September 2004,>