Black death plague ravaging Madagascar will ‘get WORSE’ as antibiotics AREN’T working

November 15, 2017 in News by RBN

Daily Star

At least 165 people have been killed by the devastating outbreak of an airborne disease spreading like wildfire in Madagascar.

Around another 2,000 people have been struck down by the – called pneumonic plague – by the lethal “medieval disease”.

Infection and immunity expert Dr Matthew Avison, of University of Bristol, has revealed the outbreak in east Africa is likely to become more serious before the “crisis” ends.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Star Online, Dr Avison said because the disease is “extremely rare” it has been “resilient” to antibiotics.

black death plague madagascar

The plague death toll has risen to 143 in Madagascar. World Health Organization figures show the black death outbreak has now infected 1,947 people in the country off the east coast of Africa.
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World Health Organization figures show the plague has killed at least 143 peopleAFP/GETTY IMAGES
World Health Organization figures show the plague has killed at least 143 people
“Because this disease is extremely rare, it doesn’t get exposed to antibiotics that often,” he said.

“That means it’s more resistant to antibiotics and the risk of death is higher.”

However, he said if antibiotics are handed out quickly then the disease “can still be treated”.

Failure to do so could result in the outbreak – the “worst in 50 years” – spreading to other continents, including Europe and the US, he warned.

Madagascar plagueGETTY

MEDICAL AID: Dr Avison said antibiotics can cure the disease if taken quickly

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“It’s starting to be a big problem.”

Dr Matthew Avison, of University of Bristol

“It’s starting to be a big problem,” he said.

“The worry is it’s going to spread to other countries if not properly contained. There is evidence that is happening already.

“It’s will probably get worse before it gets better.”

Officials from the World Health Organisation (WHO) have warned there is a risk the disease could spread to other continents.

Scientists also believe the disease – which can kill in 24 hours – could become untreatable in the future if the virus mutates.

Madagascar plague

SPREADING: At least 165 people have died from the plague sweeping east Africa

Dr Avison said this is unlikely to happen anytime soon as old antibiotics developed decades ago can still cure the disease.

He said the problem is “access to those” antibiotics in countries with poor health infrastructure.

The airborne pneumonic plague can be spread by coughing, sneezing, spitting and other contact with bodily fluids.

Two thirds of cases have been caused by the airborne pneumonic plague.

The WHO has said this current outbreak is “different” to that seen before.

Recent outbreaks of Chloera, Yellow Fever and the Zika Virus have swept the globe. Here are some of the most recent epidemics.
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Ebola: Victim Pauline Cafferkey was transported to a London Hospital in an isolation tent for the third timeGETTY IMAGES
Ebola: Victim Pauline Cafferkey was transported to a London Hospital in an isolation tent for the third time.
Nine countries – including South Africa, Seychelles, La Reunion, Tanzania, Mauritius, Comoros, Mozambique, Kenya and Ethiopia – are now on high alert amid fears the disease could go global.

Dr Charlotte Ndiaye, a WHO Representative in Madagascar, said: “WHO is concerned that plague could spread further because it is already present in several cities and this is the start of the epidemic season, which usually runs from September to April.”

The WHO has delivered 1.2million doses of antibiotics to fight the disease.

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