Madagascar has experienced an incredibly serious plague outbreak in recent months. The World Health Organization notes that “confirmed, probable, and suspected” cases have risen above 2,250 and deaths number nearly 200.
Madagascar has experienced a serious plague outbreak in recent months.
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes, "As of 10 November 2017, a total of 2119 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of plague, including 171 deaths...have been reported by the Ministry of Health of Madagascar."
WHO expects that number to rise through April 2018, but does say that the threat of the disease's spread seems to be decreasing.
Despite the slowdown in known infections, the threat level for Madagascar remains high.
In a plague outbreak update published on November 15, the WHO says it is, "scaling up of preparedness and operational readiness activities in neighboring Indian Ocean islands and other southern and east African countries."
Among them are the Seychelles, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania.
"The overall global risk is considered to be low. WHO is re-evaluating the risk assessment based on the evolution of the outbreak and information from response activities," the organization also notes.
Travelers to Madagascar are advised to avoid contact with dead animals, protect themselves against flea bites, and stay out of the proximity of patients suffering from pneumonic plague.
People who present with symptoms including shortness of breath with coughing and/or blood-tainted sputum, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and fever should seek immediate medical attention.
