Madagascar : a plague has killed ten people

mihtiander/epictura

Published the 28.09.2017 at 12: 11

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Madagascarpesteépidémie

The outbreak of plague in Madagascar continues his sad case. At the last balance sheet, the disease has killed 10 people and infected 50 others. The capital, Antananarivo, is not spared. The Face of this phenomenon, the ministry of public Health has announced the launch of a campaign of disinfection and disinsection.

The majority of the cases are located in the urban area surrounding Antananarivo, but the center of the island is also affected by an increase in cases. According to BBC Africa, approximately fifteen deaths and more than one hundred suspected cases would have been counted. Figures that do not confirm to the department.

In a statement, the government calls on the population to remain attentive to the signs of an infection with the plague. The most common symptoms are a sudden fever accompanied by bloody coughing, chest pain and high fatigue. Swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin, neck and armpits can also occur.

This type of epidemic is unfortunately usual in Madagascar. The plague is so widespread that the term “season pesteuse” appeared. It began in July 2017. A season during which residents are encouraged to limit the proliferation of rats.

40, 000 cases in 15 years

Rats are, indeed, the main mode of transmission of the plague. The bacterium that causes it, Yersinia pestis, is inoculated by the bite of infected fleas, after feeding on a rat. The contagion can also be carried out by direct contact with infected tissues or – more rarely – by the inhalation of aerosols from people or animals contaminated.

The malagasy ministry of public Health also reminds us of the importance of consulting a health professional at the slightest symptom. In fact, antibiotics are only effective if diagnosis is made early enough. And in the absence of treatment, the infection is often fatal.

As noted by the Pasteur Institute, ” in 20 to 40% of cases, the bubo suppure and the patient heals after a time of convalescence is long enough. Otherwise, the disease progresses to septicaemia, a very quickly fatal. “

Still common in some countries, the plague has significantly retreated from the planet. In the space of 15 years, some 40 000 cases were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). Far from the millions of deaths caused by the infamous Black Plague in Europe.