19 Oct 2017 | 02:55 AM UTC
Seychelles: Plague ruled out in suspected patients Oct. 18 /update 2
Authorities rule out plague in suspected patients on October 18; precautionary measures remain in place
Event
Health officials in Seychelles on Wednesday, October 18, ruled out plague in samples taken from ten suspected patients, including the case that initially raised alarm throughout the islands. Despite the negative laboratory results, authorities intend to keep precautionary measures to prevent the disease from reaching the country. As such, Air Seychelles is maintaining the indefinite suspension of all flights between Madagascar and Seychelles, which went into effect on Sunday, October 8.
Context
The initial suspected case was a man who recently returned to the island of Mahé from Madagascar, which has reported at least 74 related deaths and over 1100 more confirmed and suspected cases of the illness as of October 17. In total, over 300 people were under medical surveillance in Seychelles after being in contact with suspected plague patients.
Plague is a bacterial infection that typically affects rodents and is most often transmitted from rodents to other animals and humans via flea bites. Bubonic plague is the most common form of the disease, characterized by swollen lymph nodes; it is fatal in 30 to 60 percent of cases. Pneumonic plague occurs when the bacteria infects the lungs; symptoms include fever, headache, weakness, pneumonia, chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, and sometimes bloody or watery mucous. It is the most virulent form of the disease and can be spread from person to person. Without prompt and effective treatment, pneumonic plague is almost always fatal. Plague can be treated with antibiotics.
Advice
Individuals in Seychelles are advised to take measures to protect themselves from insect bites (use insect repellents, wear long sleeved shirts and pants, etc.), to maintain strict standards of sanitation (cleanliness to discourage presence of rodents, elimination of rodent habitats outdoors - e.g., brush, rock piles, pet food, etc.), and use flea control products on all pets. Anyone presenting with the above symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
