Madagascar: Suspicions of the Re-emergence of the Plague; Mother and Son Die within Hours
A woman and her son are allegedly died from the plague in a tragic incident that occurred in Matoka, Talata Vohimena, in the Manandriana district of Madagascar. The mother, aged 43, passed away on the evening of October 3 at her home, suffering from acute diarrhea, fever, and stomach burns, which she had been experiencing since September 30.
On the morning of October 4, her 25-year-old son, who had exhibited similar symptoms along with buboes and a fever since October 1, also succumbed at the Ambohipo Manandriana Basic Health Center (CSB).
According to local health authorities, this could potentially be the plague. «The post-mortem test conducted on the son came back positive, while the one on the mother was negative. Samples have been sent to the Madagascar “Institut Pasteur” de Madagascar (IPM), and we are awaiting the results to confirm whether it is indeed the plague or not», stated a medical source.
There have been no reported movements or exhumations before these deaths, and no proliferation of rats or fleas has been observed.
Local authorities further mentioned that the plague has never previously occurred in this hamlet.
Nevertheless, immediate preventive measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
Twenty-five houses have been disinfected, including twenty-six people who came into contact with the young man and his family during his hospitalization at the CSB in Ambohipo, as well as one hundred and fifty-five people in Matoka. Additionally, the fokontany where they lived received prophylactic treatments.
According to reports, their bodies have already been buried in a common grave, as per sanitary measures.
Individuals who succumb to the plague cannot be buried in a family tomb, as the plague bacillus can survive in a tomb for up to seven years.
Neil Camara
