Prevalence of Ectoparasites and the Seroepidemiology of Murine Typhus in Murine-like Animals at International Ports in Taiwan, 2004-2011

Chia-Hao Chien1、Pei-Fang Chiang1、Hsi-Chieh Wang1、Kuan-Yu Chen2、Min-Cheng Lin2、Ho-Sheng Wu1

2012 Vol.28 NO.22

Correspondence Author: Hsi-Chieh Wang

Abstract:

Murine typhus, one of the forth category National Notifiable Communicable Diseases in Taiwan, is caused by the Rickettsia typhi, and is mainly transmitted by fleas, Xenopsylla cheopis, that infest murine-like animals. In this article, we addressed the prevalence of ectoparasites of murine-like animals at major international ports in Taiwan and did the serum epidemiology study in murine-like animals between November 2004 and 2011. The total number of murine-like animals underwent examination was 4,260, and 2,358 (55.35%) were Rattus norvegicus. On the other hand, the total number of ectoparasites captured from murine-like animals was 4,469, and 2,103 (45.04%) were Xenopsylla cheopis. The average seropositive rate of murine typhus among these murine-like animals in international ports was 8.22%, while the seropositive rates in Kaohsiung Port and Taichung Port were 26.12% and 18.09 %, respectively; both were higher than the average. In both ports, the linear correlation between the Xenopsylla cheopis index and the seropositive rate of murine typhus in Rattus norvegicus was not significant.