Influence of human activity patterns on epidemiology of plague in Western Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

• DOI: 10.4314/thrb.v16i3.1
• Publication Date: 2014-11-12T02:52:55Z
• Authors: Marianne Hubeau; Hubert Gulinck; Didas N. Kimaro; Proches Hieronimo; Joel Meliyo
• Keywords: plague; Firewood

Human plague has been a recurring public health threat in some villages the Western Usambara Mountains, Tanzania, period between 1980 and 2004. Despite intensive past biological medical research, reasons for outbreaks same set of remain unknown. Plague research needs to broaden its scope formulate new hypotheses. This study was carried out establish relationships nature spatial extent selected human activities on one hand, reported cases other hand. Three outdoor namely, fetching water, collecting firewood going market, were selected. Through enquiries activity patterns related these mapped 14 villages. Standard deviation ellipses represent action spaces. Over 130 types identified listed. Of these, market used further analysis. The results indicate significant correlation frequency size Different characteristics land use correlated with at village hamlet levels. Significant found specific sources places.