24 die as plague outbreaks in Madagascar

International Desk: An unusually widespread outbreak of the plague is menacing Madagascar.

At least 24 people have died and more than 130 have been infected with plague across the country, according to the World Health Organization.

Plague is endemic to the country, but "contrary to past outbreaks, this one is affecting larger urban areas and ports, which increases the risk of person-to-person transmission," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said.

Among the reported cases, almost 60 were the more common bubonic plague, including seven deaths. More than 70 -- including 17 deaths -- are suspected to be pneumonic plague, which is more severe.

Ten cities were reporting pneumonic cases as of September 30, including the capital, Antananarivo, increasing chances of the disease spreading.
Plague is caused by infection with the bacterium Yersinia pestis and is typically spread through the bite of infected fleas, frequently carried by rats, causing bubonic plague. Symptoms include painful, swollen lymph nodes, called bubos, as well as fever, chills and coughing.

Pneumonic plague is more virulent or damaging and is an advanced form characterized by a severe lung infection. The infection can be transmitted from person to person via airborne droplets. The incubation period is short, and an infected person may die within 12 to 24 hours.


Source: Agencies

 

 

risingbd/Dhaka/October 06, 2017/A K Azad