Factors explaining the abundance of rodents in the city of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, as revealed by field and household surveys.

摘要: A field and a household survey, the latter of which included inspections interviews with residents total 1370 properties, were conducted in 2004 30 villages city Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, order to assess degree rodent infestation identify potential factors influencing infestations. Roof rats, Rattus rattus, Polynesian rat, exulans, only rodents found city, trapping results showed clear dominance roof rats (80-90% all individuals). Measurements activity using tracking patches correlated positively data, revealed significantly higher rat during rainy season (September) than dry (November). If households vicinity sampling locations considered, villagers' accounts indoor infestations recorded survey measurements activity. At least every second reported Using explorative statistical analyses (classification trees, factor analysis) we checked predictive or explanatory value up 28 variables assessed for observations on as dependent variable. Trophic such exposed food (indoors) garbage (outdoors), structural features open ceilings harborage gardens (outdoors) ranked highest variables. Assessment small sample droppings collected inside houses presence disease agents Salmonella javiana, Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia duodenalis parasitic nematode Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica). These underline need an appropriate management strategy whereby simple sanitation rodent-proofing measures could be cheap means reducing rates.