Plague Vaccine Bait

The USGS developed an oral sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) to help immunize prairie dogs against plague. The SPV is administered via a brightly colored, peanut butter flavored bait.

If successful, the SPV could help protect endangered black-footed ferret populations in the western U.S. because the ferrets rely on prairie dogs for food. The SPV project is a collaboration of over 30 organizations and agencies.