Madagascar hit by Black Death plague outbreak

Is it safe for tourists to visit the amazing island after the Black Death plague epidemics has left almost 100 people dead?

 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) casualties of the Black Death plague in Madagascar has reached 94 dead people and nearly 1.000 ill patience suspected to be infected with the disease.

Meanwhile, both WHO and the Red Cross representatives struggle to limit the spreading of the infection across the island.

As the disease is not yet contained, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued a travel warning, valid for UK citizens aiming to visit Antananarivo.

“There is currently an outbreak of pneumonic and bubonic plague in Madagascar. Outbreaks of plague tend to be seasonal and occur mainly during the rainy season, with around 500 cases reported annually. Whilst outbreaks are not uncommon in rural areas, the latest outbreak has seen an increase in reported cases in urban areas, including Antananarivo,” the FCO travel advice quotes.

Britons spending their holidays in Madagascar are urged to be covered with travel insurance and enough money for potential emergency medical treatments.

Despite plague outbreaks happening in the island since 1980, especially between September and April, the current epidemics is the worst of all, as it hit both the rural areas and the capital.

Cough droplets, saliva, fleas and rodents are the main spreading factors of pneumonic and bubonic plague. People noticing symptoms should immediately seek for medical care in order to combat the disease.

The current plague outbreak is confirmed to be originated from the Seychelles, while countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Mauritius, Comoros, and Reunion are also at high risk.

 

Source: express.co.uk