Plague in Madagascar has killed 40: WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Friday that Madagascar has been hit by a plague in many regions and the country is under risk of a serious outbreak due to it's underdeveloped health care system, according to reports.
There have been two cases and one death recorded in the capital Antananarivo but those figures could climb quickly due to "the city's high population density and the weakness of the healthcare system," WHO warned.
"There is now a risk of a rapid spread of the disease due to the city's high population density and the weakness of the healthcare system. The situation is further complicated by the high level of resistance to deltamethrin (an insecticide used to control fleas) that has been observed in the country," WHO said.
"The situation is further complicated by the high level of resistance to deltamethrin (an insecticide used to control fleas) that has been observed in the country," it added.
WHO says Madacascan authorities have begun "effective measures" to control the outbreak. Plague is found around the world, mostly infecting rodents, but even in the U.S. there are a few cases every year.
WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restriction based on the current information available. In urban areas, such as Antananarivo, the surveillance of epidemic risk indicators is highly recommended for the implementation of preventive vector control activities.
