The World Health Organization (WHO) is stepping up its presence in Madagascar to contain an outbreak of plague that has infected more than 100 people and led to the death of a foreign national in recent weeks.
According to WHO, the plague has struck both port towns and the capital alike. Thus far, 21 people have died as a result of the outbreak since it first began in August. Officials have been left to track those people that may have come into contact with the ill, to give them antibiotics as precautionary measures.
“WHO is concerned that plague could spread further because it is already present in several cities and this is the start of the epidemic season, which usually runs from September to April,” Charlotte Ndiaye, a WHO representative in Madagascar, said. “Our teams are on the ground in Madagascar providing technical guidance, conducting assessments, supporting disease surveillance, and engaging with communities.”
WHO is working with the local government and members of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network to get an increase of antibiotics, personal protective equipment, and other supplies flowing into the island nation. Thus far, WHO has released $300,000 in emergency funds and critical supplies to help, but they have also asked the United States for an additional $1.5 million to help drive response.
While plague strikes Madagascar annually, what makes this outbreak unique is that it is hitting large urban areas and is striking in greater numbers than expected for this time of year. Both bubonic–rat spread–and pneumonic–person-to-person spread–plagues are currently on the loose. While both are curable, if left untreated they can kill quickly.