The World Health Organization announced that Madagascar is in the midst of a deadly outbreak. The agency has already sent millions of doses of antibiotics to local healthcare parties to fight a growing crisis of pneumonic plague. So far, there are 230 infected people while other several dozens have already succumbed to death.
Prime Minister of Madagascar Implemented Local Bans that Discourage the Formation of Human Gatherings
The first confirmed victim of the black death plague appeared on August 28 in the town of Moramanga. Since that point on, the disease kept spreading and infecting people. On the one hand, the weak health system in this part of the world has always led to cases of plague.
Usually, this condition registers 400 cases on average per year. On the other hand, this is the first time that the outbreak promotes a deadlier version of the plague. So far, Madagascar suffered mostly from the typical bubonic plague.
The eastern parts together with the areas near Antananarivo seem to be the most affected regions. Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana has already taken drastic measures to prevent the spread of this transmissible bacterium. He made public gatherings in Antananarivo illegal as of September 30. Later on, he proceeded with the closure of public educational institutions.
Madagascar’s Pneumonic Plague Will Take Greater Proportions If Left Untreated
Nonetheless, WHO still sees the light at the end of the tunnel. Madagascar representative Charlotte Ndiaye stated that early detection of pneumonic plague is a battle half won. WHO teams are already working to offer everyone who might be at risk access to medication and treatment.
“The faster we move, the more lives we save.”
According to recent papers, the plague is far from being a condition of the past. The illness continued to survive mostly among wildlife. As a consequence, Asia, Africa, and the Americas are actually accustomed to experiencing such epidemics. On top of that, the bacteria started appearing in regions where it was thought to be long gone.
If infected people are left untreated the chances to die are 100%. While Madagascar has significantly improved its health reinforcements, the country still accounts for 30% of human infections with plague worldwide.
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