WHO delivers nearly 1.2 million antibiotics in response to Madagascar plague outbreak

In response to reports that more than 230 cases of plague have appeared in Madagascar since August, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently sent a shipment of 1,190,000 doses of antibiotics and released $1.5 million in emergency funds in order to mitigate the spread of the disease.

The drugs, which have been distributed to Madagascar’s Ministry of Health and multiple partner organizations, will be used for both curative and prophylactic care. In total, the shipment is enough to treat up to 5,000 patients and protect up to 100,000 people who might have been exposed to the disease.

“Plague is curable if detected in time,” WHO Madagascar Representative Charlotte Ndiaye said. “Our teams are working to ensure that everyone at risk has access to protection and treatment. The faster we move, the more lives we save.”

A total of 231 infections and 33 deaths have been reported in the country since August, all of which are associated with pneumonic plague. According to WHO, it is a more serious form of plague compared to its bubonic counterpart and is most commonly spread through coughing at close range.

While the $1.5 million in emergency funds have already been released, WHO said it is appealing for a total of $5.5 million to more effectively respond to the outbreak and save lives.