Madagascar: End of plague outbreak declared in urban areas Nov. 27 /update 12

Event

Madagascar Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana announced on Monday, November 27, that the current plague outbreak has ended in urban areas, including in the capital Antananarivo and in Tamatave (east coast). Solonandrasana attributed the success to an effective deployment of disease containment measures.

As of Monday, at least 202 fatalities linked to pneumonic plague had been reported nationwide, of a total of 2384 cases confirmed since the outbreak was first reported in August. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of confirmed cases has been declining across the country in recent weeks. However, WHO officials stated that additional cases are likely to be reported at least through the end of plague season in April 2018, but the number of cases will continue to decline as long as effective prevention measures remain in place.

Containment measures will likely remain in place through April, including checkpoints on roads leading to the remaining affected areas to screen for potential cases of the illness. Airports will likely maintain health screenings in a bid to identify and prevent further spread of the disease. Similar measures should also be expected to continue at airports in neighboring countries, including Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, La Réunion (France), Seychelles, South Africa, and Tanzania. It is currently unclear if the ban on public gatherings and meetings, put in place in September in an effort to stem the spread of the disease, is still in effect.

Context

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 always fatal. Plague can be treated with antibiotics.

Advice

Despite the improvement to the situation, individuals in Madagascar should continue to take measures to protect themselves from insect bites (use insect repellents, wear long sleeved shirts and pants, etc.), maintain strict standards of sanitation (cleanliness to discourage presence of rodents, elimination of rodent habitats outdoors - e.g. brush, rock piles, pet food, etc.), use flea control products on all pets, and avoid contact with potentially infected persons. Anyone presenting with the above symptoms is advised to seek immediate medical attention.