South African Plague Fears Allayed by Tests

Tests have proven that rats are not infested with bubonic plague in two South African villages. ...

According to SABC News:

What fuelled fears was the discovery of a presence of two human diseases in a small percentage of the rat population in the city. If passed to humans these could cause flu-like symptoms. The frail, sick and those with low immune deficiencies are more at risk. Olowolagba said: "Leptospirosis and toxiplasmosis are not deadly and can be treated."

The upshot of the survey is that there is no evidence of the much-feared bubonic plague. The city says its vector control programme ranks with the best in the world. Wax poison bait is used in places like storm water drains. In big cities rats thrive in sprawling informal settlements, markets and rubbish heaps. Plans to set up a similar project on plague control elsewhere in the country are on the cards.