Madagascar’s deadly plague outbreak is slowing down, the World Health Organization has said, but warns that the response must be sustained until the end of the plague season in April 2018.
“The worst of the outbreak is over, but we must stand ready to detect and respond to new infections until the end of the plague season in April 2018,” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
According to Madagascar’s Ministry of Health, the number of new infections has been in steady decline in recent weeks.
This points out to the fact that measures taken to contain the outbreak have been effective, but more infections of both bubonic and pneumonic plague are expected until the end of the plague season in April 2018.
“I congratulate the Government of Madagascar for the way it has worked with partners to contain this outbreak. This is just the type of leadership needed to prevent outbreaks spiraling out of control,” Tedros added.
From August 1 to November 24, 2017, a cumulative total of 2 384 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of plague, including 207 deaths (case fatality rate 9%), have been reported from 57 of 114 (50%) districts in the island nation.
As of 24 November 2017, only 11 people were hospitalized for plague. There has been no international spread outside the country.
WHO said it will continue to assist national health authorities to maintain surveillance and response capabilities and to effectively manage future outbreaks.
