Uganda, April 4 -- As the dry season approaches in Zombo District, residents living in plague-prone areas are mindful of the potential threat posed by rat bites, which can lead to infection by the deadly disease that has historically devastated families across the region.

This is the time most wild rats leave their dens to look for food and cool shelter at home.

The wild rodents sometimes live on the roof of the grass-thatched huts.

With poverty limiting access to proper bedding, many individuals sleep on papyrus mats on the floor, increasing their vulnerability to rat bites and potential infection.

For at least five years now, no new cases of plague outbreaks have been recorded in the Zombo.

The last case of the plague outbreak in W...