Could deadly plague in Madagascar spread to America?

Madagascar is in the grip of a deadly plague that has claimed more than 160 lives.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that while the risk of further spread at a national level remains high, the overall global risk is considered to be low.

Top Congressman says he has proof Trump is lying about Russian hacking

However, experts fear it could be spread to other countries via plane travelers. So in that sense, the risk is very real.

The disease is caused by the same microbe which wiped out 50 million people in Europe during the Black Death, but in a form that can be spread by coughing.

Most of the cases in the current outbreak are pneumonic plague, a more virulent form that spreads through coughing, sneezing or spitting and is almost always fatal if untreated.

A spokesperson for the WHO said: ‘While the number of new cases and hospitalizations due to plague is declining in Madagascar, WHO cannot rule out the possibility of flare ups of additional cases until the typical plague season ends in April 2018, and thus recommends maintaining vigilance until then.

Scientists say the future of Earth is more bleak than ever before

‘Based on available information and response measures implemented to date, the potential risk of further spread of plague at national level remains high. The risk of international spread is mitigated by the short incubation period of pneumonic plague, implementation of exit screening measures and advice to travelers to Madagascar, and scaling up of preparedness and operational readiness activities in neighbouring Indian Ocean islands and other southern and east African countries.

‘The overall global risk is considered to be low.’

Around 14 of the 22 regions in Madagascar have been affected.

The disease has long been seen in Madagascar’s remote areas — but this new outbreak is largely concentrated in its two largest cities, Antananarivo and Toamasina.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Original Article