Plague : almost 450 cases were reported in Madagascar

Alexander JOE/AP/SIPA

Published the 12.10.2017 at 11: 25 am

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pesteépidémieMadagascar

The plague continues to occur in Madagascar. The big island lists now 450 patients, of whom 48 have not survived. On the only day of the 9 and 10 October, the authorities reported over 60 cases of pneumonic plague.

The various precautionary measures have done nothing, Yersinia pestis continues to circulate actively in the island continent. By itself, the capital city of Antananarivo reported 239 cases, including 21 deaths.

The ministry of public Health of the island has therefore decided to move to a higher level. On 11 October, the Pr Mamy Lalatiana Andriamanarivo announced the requisition of all doctors and paramedical staff to coordinate the fight against the bacterium. Those mobilized are in addition to 250 volunteers who will be deployed throughout the country.

The world Health Organization has also brought to the court. The sanitary agency of the united nations has provided over a million dollars at the beginning of the month of October and sent a million doses of antibiotics to Madagascar.

A case in the Seychelles

These measures are accompanied by a warning to the destination of the travellers. “The risk of infection by Yersinia pestis is generally low for international travelers to Madagascar,” stressed the WHO.

But it indicates that some situations may promote infection, such as camping or hunting, as well as contact with dead animals. Repellents provide some protection from the bites of fleas, the agency says.

Source : WHO

The action is urgent, as the epidemic starts to spread. Off the coast of the red island, other States the costs of this outbreak. A case was reported to the Seychelles, in a man returning from Madagascar. Placed on antibiotics and in isolation, the condition appears to be reassuring.

In prevention, the Seychelles have placed 15 people come in contact with the patient on antibiotics. “We continue to monitor the passengers who returned from Madagascar,” said Dr. Jude Gedeon, Commissioner of public Health of the Seychelles. Currently, 42 people are placed under passive surveillance. “