Related Experiment Videos
Plague, a reemerging disease in Madagascar
S Chanteau1, L Ratsifasoamanana, B Rasoamanana
1Institut Pasteru, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|March 21, 1998
Summary
Plague reemerged in Madagascar in 1990 and persists annually, with over 200 cases reported each year. Difficulties in eliminating plague stem from the adaptable Rattus rattus rat, which serves as both a domestic and sylvatic reservoir.
Area of Science:
- Zoonotic diseases
- Epidemiology
- Infectious disease ecology
Background:
- Human plague cases in Madagascar had been rare since the 1930s.
- Plague reemerged in 1990 and has since caused over 200 annual cases.
- Annual epidemics occur in Mahajanga, and cases are increasing in Antananarivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reemergence and persistence of plague in Madagascar.
- To understand the challenges in controlling plague transmission.
- To identify the primary reservoir and transmission dynamics of Yersinia pestis.
Main Methods:
- Surveillance of Yersinia pestis and flea sensitivity to drugs and insecticides.
- Monitoring of rodent populations and infections in urban and sylvatic environments.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on human plague cases.
Main Results:
- Plague has become endemic in Madagascar since 1990, with consistent annual outbreaks.
- Yersinia pestis infections are prevalent in rodents, particularly Rattus rattus.
- Control measures have been insufficient to eliminate the disease due to the adaptable nature of the primary reservoir.
Conclusions:
- The reemergence and persistence of plague in Madagascar present a significant public health challenge.
- The domestic and sylvatic habits of Rattus rattus complicate eradication efforts.
- Ongoing surveillance and integrated control strategies are crucial for managing plague outbreaks.