Via ReliefWeb, an OCHA report: Madagascar : Epidémie de peste Rapport de Situation conjoint n 3, en date du 23 Octobre 2017. It gives us a lot of information, but its numbers are not consistent with other recent reports. The Google translation of the summary:
Highlights
• 14/22 regions and 40/114 health districts reported cases of pulmonary plague; 6 districts have not registered new cases in 15 days.
• 1,192 cases were identified and 124 people died, 67% of whom were pulmonary.
• 780 patients have been cured since the beginning of this epidemic, others are still under treatment at the hospital.
• Less than 30% of people in contact with the patients could be traced.
• Presence of plague cases along major highways; despite the lack of protective equipment, controls are being strengthened.
• 52% of disinfection equipment needs are not yet covered, which is essential to meet the recommended prophylaxis measures.
• The private sector is increasingly involved in the response, including the different workers' unions.
1,192 cumulated cases since the beginning of the epidemic season
124 Cumulative deaths, all cases combined
67% cases are pulmonary forms
780 Patients are cured and released from hospitals since August 1, 2017
30% People in contact with patients only are identified
26% Only covered by the total funding requirement
Overview of the situation
Although the plague is endemic in Madagascar, the season started a month ahead of its normal start. The big difference between a normal epidemic season and the 2017 season is that this epidemic is predominantly pulmonary and affects the largest urban centers of Madagascar (Antananarivo and Toamasina). Some of the currently affected districts are not usually affected by this disease, which represents another challenge in addition to the challenges faced in controlling the epidemic in urban settings.
The current total number of registered cases (1,192) is already three times higher than the average annual number recorded during a plague season, generally from September to April.
Medical and non-medical responses to pulmonary plague are technically more difficult to implement in urban areas due to population density and frequency of movement. Greater Antananarivo, which constitutes a node of transport and trade of the country, is the zone most affected by this epidemic. This urban situation increases the health risk for health workers; 54 medical personnel have been affected by the plague since the beginning of this response.
Moreover, the impact of this epidemic is beginning to pose some concerns to the socio-economic sectors of the country.
