@article{fdi:010049278,
  title = {{S}tudy on the movement of {R}attus rattus and evaluation of the plague dispersion in {M}adagascar},
  author = {{R}ahelinirina, {S}. and {D}uplantier, {J}ean-{M}arc and {R}atovonjato, {J}. and {R}amilijaona, {O}. and {R}atsimba, {M}. and {R}ahalison, {L}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{P}lague affects mainly the rural areas in the central highlands of {M}adagascar. {R}attus rattus is the main rodent host of {Y}ersinia pestis in these localities. {S}ince the introduction of plague, endemic foci have continued to expand, and spatiotemporal variability in the distribution of human plague has been observed. {T}o assess the movements of {R}. rattus and evaluate the risk of dispersion of the disease, a field study at the scale of the habitats ( houses, hedges of sisals, and rice fields) in the plague villages was carried out during high and low seasons of plague transmission to humans. {T}he systemic oral marker {R}hodamine {B} was used to follow rats' movements. {B}aits were placed in different habitats, and trapping success was carried out once a month for 3 months after the bait distribution. {P}lague indicators ( reservoirs' abundance, flea index, {Y}. pestis prevalence in fleas, and {Y}. pestis antibody prevalence in rats) were determined. {T}he highest abundance of rats and marking efficiency were observed in the sisal hedges and the rice fields. {M}arked rats were captured most commonly near the points where baits were initially placed. {T}he main movements of rats were observed between the houses and sisal hedges. {M}ajor differences were observed between the seasons of high and low plague transmission. {D}uring the season of low plague transmission, rats were more abundant in the sisal hedges and rice fields, with rats moving from the houses to the rice fields. {D}uring the high plague transmission season, rats moved from the hedges of sisal to the rice fields. {I}mportant indicators of vector abundance and plague transmission were higher during the high plague transmission season. {T}he three study habitats were the risk areas for plague transmission, but the risk appeared highest in the houses and sisals. {R}ats' movements according to the season were likely directed by the availability of food.},
  keywords = {{M}adagascar ; {P}lague ; {R}ats' movements ; {R}attus rattus ; {R}hodamine {B}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{V}ector-{B}orne and {Z}oonotic {D}iseases},
  volume = {10},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {77--84},
  ISSN = {1530-3667},
  year = {2010},
  DOI = {10.1089/vbz.2009.0019},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010049278},
}