PLAGUE OUTBREAK IN TOBRUK, LIBYA

Plague is not ended even in developed countries. There have been many out- breaks around the world right up to thepresent time. The disease is introduced by infected rats, transported to humans by rat fleas. Tobruk is semiarid area,usually rainfall in winter is from 65 to 120 mm. In 2009, increased winter precipitation to 220 mm, enhanced smallmammal food resource productivity ( plants and herbs ), leading to an increase in the abundance of plague hosts.Moisture may act to promote fleas survival and reproduction, also enhancing plague transmission. The study included 16 villages and 5 districts Tobruk city. Suspected cases were admitted to Tobruk Medical Centre, clinically andlaboratory diagnosed, and treated with antibiotics. The outbreak of plague started from March to July, 138 personswere struck down by the infection with Yersinia pestis, of whom 6 cases (4.35% ) died.