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Madagascar hit by 'pneumonic and bubonic plague' | Madagascar hit by 'pneumonic and bubonic plague' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two cases of pneumonic plague - more deadly than bubonic plague - have been reported in Madagascar, a health official has told the BBC. | |
It comes after it was confirmed that there was a deadly outbreak of the bubonic plague in a village in the north-west of the island. | It comes after it was confirmed that there was a deadly outbreak of the bubonic plague in a village in the north-west of the island. |
Pneumonic plague can be inhaled and transmitted between humans without involvement of animals or fleas. | Pneumonic plague can be inhaled and transmitted between humans without involvement of animals or fleas. |
It is the most virulent and least common form of plague. | It is the most virulent and least common form of plague. |
It can kill within 24 hours. | It can kill within 24 hours. |
'Most deaths' | 'Most deaths' |
Bubonic plague hit a village near Madagascar's north-western town of Mandritsara last week. | Bubonic plague hit a village near Madagascar's north-western town of Mandritsara last week. |
At least 20 people were reported to have died. | At least 20 people were reported to have died. |
The Pasteur Institute of Madagascar confirmed on Tuesday that tests taken from some bodies in the village, near the north-western town of Mandritsara, last week showed that they had died of the plague. | The Pasteur Institute of Madagascar confirmed on Tuesday that tests taken from some bodies in the village, near the north-western town of Mandritsara, last week showed that they had died of the plague. |
However, it did not say how many people had died. | However, it did not say how many people had died. |
Pneumonic plague is caused by the same bacteria that occur in bubonic plague - the Black Death that killed an estimated 25 million people in Europe during the Middle Ages. | Pneumonic plague is caused by the same bacteria that occur in bubonic plague - the Black Death that killed an estimated 25 million people in Europe during the Middle Ages. |
But while bubonic plague is usually transmitted by flea bites and can be treated with antibiotics, pneumonic plague is easier to contract and if untreated, has a very high case-fatality ratio, experts say. | But while bubonic plague is usually transmitted by flea bites and can be treated with antibiotics, pneumonic plague is easier to contract and if untreated, has a very high case-fatality ratio, experts say. |
Madagascar's health ministry director-general Dr Herlyne Ramihantaniarivo confirmed to the BBC that two cases of the plague had been reported. | Madagascar's health ministry director-general Dr Herlyne Ramihantaniarivo confirmed to the BBC that two cases of the plague had been reported. |
Last year, Madagascar had 60 deaths from bubonic plague, the world's highest recorded number. | Last year, Madagascar had 60 deaths from bubonic plague, the world's highest recorded number. |
The International Committee of the Red Cross warned in October that Madagascar was at risk of a plague epidemic. | The International Committee of the Red Cross warned in October that Madagascar was at risk of a plague epidemic. |
The BBC's Tim Healy in the capital, Antananarivo, says health officials have now gone to the remote area to investigate. | The BBC's Tim Healy in the capital, Antananarivo, says health officials have now gone to the remote area to investigate. |
Prisoners on the island are usually most affected by bubonic plague, which is spread because of unhygienic conditions, he says. | Prisoners on the island are usually most affected by bubonic plague, which is spread because of unhygienic conditions, he says. |
The prevalence of rats in Madagascar's prisons means the plague can spread easily. | The prevalence of rats in Madagascar's prisons means the plague can spread easily. |
The Pasteur Institute said there were concerns that the disease could spread to towns and cities where living standards have declined since a coup in 2009 and the ensuing political crisis. | The Pasteur Institute said there were concerns that the disease could spread to towns and cities where living standards have declined since a coup in 2009 and the ensuing political crisis. |
On 20 December a second round is being held of presidential elections aimed at ending the political deadlock. | On 20 December a second round is being held of presidential elections aimed at ending the political deadlock. |