WHO regained epidemic of plague again
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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The World Health Organization is preparing all the necessary measures to stop the plague epidemic in Madagascar: the disease has already affected residents of the capital and port cities. Only in recent weeks, the plague has infected more than a hundred people. The authorities of Madagascar have already confirmed the death of one foreigner - a resident of the Seychelles: the athlete arrived on the island in connection with the basketball tournament, but fell ill with a pneumonic plague and died in the hospital Antananarivo. The doctors find out which of the people contacted the deceased and could become infected. All those identified will need to undergo a preventive course of antibiotic therapy. Since the outbreak of the plague and until the end of this summer, more than two dozen people died from the plague in Madagascar. Infected, according to preliminary data, more than a hundred people. Dr. Charlotte Ndiaye, who represents WHO in Madagascar, is worried about the situation. "Teams of specialists have already visited Madagascar and are currently working to create technical conditions for epidemiological control and cooperation with local organizations," the doctor asserts. "It is in our best interest to do everything possible to stop a spike in the disease: we coordinate the work of all medical services and health organizations. " Other WHO representatives came to the epidemic zone, as well as their colleagues interested in preventing outbreaks. In addition, the supply of antibacterial drugs, protective kits, masks and other means is monitored. The World Health Organization has already sent $ 300,000 to Madagascar in the form of emergency funding for an anti-epidemic program, as well as a number of vital medical supplies. The task of the medical profession is to quickly observe all the necessary measures to prevent further spread of the disease. Presumably, for the next events will be allocated about one and a half million dollars. The plague in Madagascar has long been endemic: most often there is a bubonic plague that is spread by infected rats through flea bites. To date, there is a combined epidemic on the island: approximately the same number of cases of bubonic plague and pulmonary plague are found. The pulmonary form of the disease is more contagious, as it is transmitted by direct contact of a sick person with a healthy one. Previously, the plague in Madagascar was recorded mainly in poor remote regions. Now the disease has come to large cities, which significantly expands the spread of infection. Previously it was believed that the plague is a disease of the lower strata of society. As a rule, the disease affected places that are characterized by unsatisfactory sanitary and hygienic characteristics. If the plague is not treated, the patient will invariably die. However, if you provide timely antimicrobial therapy, then a person can be saved. The last recorded outburst of the morbidity of the bubonic form occurred last year, in the remote region of the island.