France's President Francois Hollande (left) welcomes Madagascar's Prime
minister Jean Omer Beriziki, as part of the Elysee summit for peace and
safety in Africa, on December 6, 2013 in Paris. A plague spread by rats
has killed 39 people in recent weeks in Madagascar, the health ministry
said on December 12, 2013. PHOTO | AFP
ANTANANARIVO
A plague spread by rats has killed 39 people in recent weeks in Madagascar, the health ministry said on Thursday.
"There
is an epidemic in Madagascar which is currently affecting five
districts (out of 112). Eighty-six people have been inflicted by the
plague, of which 39 have died," said the ministry in a statement read to
AFP.
A doctor in the ministry in Antananarivo said 90
percent of the cases were diagnosed as pneumonic plague, a vicious
strain, which can kill within three days, leaving little time for
antibiotics to work.
The first person died before November but government only officially declared the existence of a plague on November 23.
According
to the doctor, who cannot be named because he does not have clearance
to speak to the media, the first case was registered in a village in the
remote region of Mandritsara.
The plague has been blamed on an infestation of rats in residential areas due to uncontrolled deforestation.
In
its statement the government urged anyone suffering fever and headaches
to consult a health practitioner, saying drugs to treat the plague were
available free of charge.
Affected districts are in the north, northeast, southeast and the centre of the island nation.
No comments :
Post a Comment