CNN: Plague on decline in Madagascar, but 9 countries on alert

Meera Senthilingam, CNN

The plague outbreak that began in August has taken the lives of 165 people and infected an excess of 2,000 individuals. 77% of the aforementioned infections were pulmonary allowing the infection to spread among individuals through airborne droplets. The bacterium Yersinia pestis is responsible for this plague and is transmitted by flea bites resulting in severe lung infections. Although initially there was a sharp rise in new cases, the outbreak is continuing to decline. Nine neighboring countries are still on high alert and were characterized by the WHO as priority countries to ensure proper preparedness.

To read more about the plague, click here