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Plague outbreak forces closure of two Madagascan universities
Topic Started: 6 Oct 2017, 12:53 AM (77 Views)
skibboy
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05 October 2017

Plague outbreak forces closure of two Madagascan universities

Posted Image
© AFP/File | Madagascan authorities spray pesticide to halt the spread of the plague in Antananarivo, on October 2, 2017

ANTANANARIVO (AFP) - Madagascan authorities Thursday ordered two universities to close temporarily as efforts intensify to halt a plague outbreak that has killed 33 people and caused widespread panic.

The Indian Ocean island nation suffers annual plague outbreaks, but this year the disease has affected urban areas, triggering concern from the World Health Organization (WHO).

"In the fight against the spread of plague, the universities of Toamasina and Antananarivo will be closed for sanitation," the Ministry of Higher Education said in a statement.

The capital Antananarivo and the port city of Toamasina have been at the centre of the plague outbreak.

Thirty-three people are now confirmed to have died nationwide since the end of August.

The campus in Antananarivo is expected to reopen next week, though public gatherings in the city will remain banned.

The outbreak includes bubonic plague, which is spread by infected rats via flea bites, and pneumonic plague, which spreads from person to person.

Pneumonic plague can kill quickly, within 18 to 24 hours of infection if left untreated, but it can be cured by early use of antibiotics.

Long queues have formed outside pharmacies as people flock to buy face masks and medicine.

Source: Posted Image.com
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skibboy
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Madagascar plague: WHO in huge release of antibiotics

6 hours ago

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The authorities are launching a major drive to combat plague in Antananarivo and have set up checkpoints in the city

More than a million doses of antibiotics have been delivered by the World Health Organization to fight an outbreak of plague in Madagascar which has killed at least 33 people.

The authorities have also banned prison visits in the two worst affected areas to prevent the spread of the disease.

The risk of contamination is high in overcrowded and unsanitary jails.

There has recently been criticism of the government's perceived slow reaction to the outbreak.

The health ministry says the latest bout of plague has infected about 230 people - in addition to those who have died - in just two months.

There are normally about 400 cases of plague every year in the country.

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Raising awareness of plague is crucial if it is to be successfully fought, health experts say

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Medics are struggling to cope with an influx of ill people

This year however the majority of cases are of pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs and is transmitted through coughing. It is considered to be the most deadly form of the disease and can be fatal within 24 hours.
The less deadly bubonic plague is often spread by rodents fleeing forest fires. Humans usually become ill after being bitten by infected fleas.

Public gatherings have been banned in response to the latest outbreak.

A specialised hospital in the capital Antananarivo is struggling to cope with the influx of ill people, local media reported, with long queues outside for face masks and medicine.

This year urban areas have been affected, a development that has worried aid agencies in a country not renowned for a robust healthcare system.

"Plague is curable if detected in time. 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," WHO Madagascar Representative Charlotte Ndiaye said in a statement.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


When did the latest outbreak begin?

It is unclear when the disease first broke out but the first death occurred on 28 August when a passenger died in a public service vehicle in the town of Moramanga, on the east coast.

Two others persons who came had come into contact with the passenger later died, with two more succumbing to the disease in the centre of the island.

A Seychellois basketball coach died in a hospital in Antananarivo on 27 September during the Indian Ocean Basketball Championship.


Which areas are affected?

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Aid agencies are working to make prisons in Madagascar more hygienic

Two regions are particularly hit by the outbreak. The first is in eastern Madagascar - where the first death was recorded on 28 August - and the other is the central part of the island, mainly in Antananarivo.

"The risk of the disease spreading is high at national level... because it is present in several towns and this is just the start of the outbreak," a WHO official said.


How has the government reacted?

On 30 September, Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana in a televised statement announced that all public gatherings would be banned in Antananarivo to prevent the spread of the disease following the death of the basketball coach.

In addition to school closures across the country, authorities on 5 October ordered the closure of the country's two main universities in the eastern port of Toamasina and Antananarivo for disinfection purposes. Sports events have also been cancelled.


What else is being done to curtail the plague?

Posted Image
This year urban areas have been affected, a development that has worried aid agencies in a country not renowned for its robust healthcare system

There have been concerted efforts to set up rat traps and spray insecticides in several neighbourhoods to prevent the spread of the disease.

The government has also established a toll-free number to report any new cases.

The Ministry of Health in addition has also taken measures against social media users who it accuses of spreading "false news" on the disease to create panic.

A Facebook user was arrested and investigated on 3 October for publishing a report which did not correspond to the toll given by the ministry.


What has been the reaction within the region?

The Ministry of Health in Seychelles has advised airlines and travel agencies to discourage people from travelling to Madagascar due to the outbreak.

The authorities have also put screening measures in place at the country's main airport.

On 6 October, Seychelles' national carrier announced that it had "temporarily suspended" its flights to Madagascar.

Several Malagasy nationals live and work in the Seychelles in various sectors and frequently travel between the two islands.

Source: BBC Monitoring

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skibboy
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24 October 2017

Madagascar plague death toll climbs to 124

Posted Image
© AFP/File | The highly contagious plague has caused alarm across Madagascar since August 2017, spreading to the capital Antananarivo and other cities

ANTANANARIVO (AFP) - The death toll from Madagascar's plague outbreak has reached 124, officials said Tuesday, as they cautiously welcomed a slowdown in infections.

The highly contagious plague has caused alarm across the poor Indian Ocean island since August, spreading to the capital Antananarivo and other cities.

A total of 1,133 people have been infected, the health ministry said.

"There is a decrease in the number of people admitted to hospital (and) an increase in cured patients who leave hospital," Manitra Rakotoarivony, a ministry official, told national radio.

Madagascar has suffered plague outbreaks almost every year since 1980 -- typically between September and April.

The current outbreak is unusual as it has affected urban areas increasing the risk of transmission, according to the World Health Organization.

WHO has delivered 1.2 million doses of antibiotics to fight the disease while the Red Cross has been training hundreds of volunteers on the island to publicise preventative measures.

Plague bacteria develops in rats and is carried by fleas.

In humans, the pneumonic version is transferred through coughing and can be fatal within 72 hours.

Most of the victims recorded in Madagascar have been infected with the pneumonic form. The bubonic form is less dangerous.

Both plagues can be cured using antibiotics if given quickly.

Source: Posted Imagefrance24.com
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skibboy
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31 October 2017

Deadly plague slowing down in Madagascar: authorities


Posted Image
© Médecins sans Frontières (MSF)/AFP/File | Madagascar's plague outbreak is unusual as it has affected urban areas increasing the risk of transmission

ANTANANARIVO (AFP) - A plague outbreak that has claimed 128 lives in Madagascar has slowed down, health authorities on the island nation said Tuesday, citing a decline in the numbers of the infected and dying.

"There is an improvement in the fight against the spread of the plague, which means that there are fewer patients in hospitals," Dr. Manitra Rakotoarivony, Madagascar's director of health promotion, told local radio.

"There are almost no more deaths due to the plague... in recent days," he added.

The highly contagious plague has caused alarm across the poor Indian Ocean island since August, spreading to the capital Antananarivo and other cities.

The plague has infected more than 1,130 people and forced the closure of schools, universities and a ban on public gatherings.

Students from private schools in Antananarivo resumed classes on Monday despite the education ministry suggesting postponing the start of the school year until November 6.

Health checkpoints are in place across the country, with passengers travelling on buses and taxis needing to pass a check with a thermometer.

Banks and schools have a similar check, and the trade of infrared thermometers has soared, with prices of 100,000 to 220,000 ariary (27-60 euros, $31-$69).

The current outbreak is unusual as it has affected urban areas increasing the risk of transmission, according to the World Health Organization.

WHO has delivered 1.2 million doses of antibiotics to fight the disease while the Red Cross has been training hundreds of volunteers on the island to publicise preventative measures.

Plague bacteria develops in rats and is carried by fleas.

In humans, the pneumonic version is transferred through coughing and can be fatal within 72 hours.

Most of the victims recorded in Madagascar have been infected with the pneumonic form. The bubonic form is less dangerous.

Both plagues can be cured using antibiotics if given quickly.

Source: Posted Image.com
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