Plague epidemic in Madagascar - update

The number of new cases of plague has decreased substantially with the last laboratory confirmed case reported on October 28th. So far, a total of 2119 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of plague, including 171 deaths, have been reported by the Ministry of Health. Sixteen of the 22 regions of Madagascar have reported cases. The Analamanga region has been the most affected. Approximately three-quarters of all cases have been the pneumonic type of plague which can be transmitted directly from person to person by coughing.

Advice

Controlling the spread of this epidemic has been difficult since so many of the infected people had the pneumonic (lung/pneumonia) type of plague that is readily transmitted from person to person when an infected person coughs. In addition to avoiding flea bites, travellers should avoid close personal contact with ill persons who are coughing.