Bubonic Plague Ravages Madagascar Again

Since mid-September, death has been ravaging the small island of Madagascar in one of its most terrifying forms: the bubonic plague. This epidemic has left the country rattled, and the World Health Organization has issued a high alert due to the severity and rapidity with which the plague is rattling Madagascar.

The history of this plague has long haunted the minds of common folk. Its less dangerous form first took hold of Europe during the years 1346-53 BCE. This horrifying plague wiped out 60% of Europe’s population during that century, causing an estimated 50 million deaths. There is a significant connection between its outbreak in the 14th century and the one that is affecting Madagascar today: just as the Black Plague was passed both through the air and via infected fleas and rats, so has the current bubonic plague spread through Madagascar. But this year, the number of victims has gone through the roof. According to CNN, “The week of October 9, there were 477 new cases, compared with 161 during the week of October 23.” Furthermore, numbers have been steadily increasing, causing alarm not only on the island but also around the world.

Though several countries are regularly affected by the plague—including the United States, Russia, China, Peru, Bolivia and several African nations—the unusual scale of the situation in Madagascar has drawn the attention of the WHO, the Red Cross, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and others . The severity of this particular outbreak can be attributed to the environmental conditions that exist in this area of Africa. The poor living conditions such as unclean water, poor house construction, and high rat populations, are a few of the reasons for why this plague is so destructive.

Though the situation may be severe, this is a time of year that usually passes quickly, and doctors are seeing progress in the innocent victims who have been affected by this travesty. The same CNN report states that “1,044 patients have been cured, and 83 others are receiving treatment.” Now, the pneumonic plague, which is more dangerous than its ancient friend, is decreasing painfully slowly. Now, steps are being taken to ensure that even though this is an annual event, the repercussions will not be as great as it has been in the year of 2017.