Madagascar plague: WHO in huge release of antibiotics
Source: BBC
2 hours ago
More than a million doses of antibiotics have been delivered by the World Health Organization to fight an outbreak of plague in Madagascar which has killed at least 33 people.
The authorities have also banned prison visits in the two worst affected areas to prevent the spread of the disease.
The risk of contamination is high in overcrowded and unsanitary jails.
There has recently been criticism of the government's perceived slow reaction to the outbreak.
Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-41537193
From CBC
Posted: Oct 05, 2017 5:00 AM ET Last Updated: Oct 05, 2017 11:41 AM ET
Elisah Raharimalala and her daughter wear face masks as they make their way around the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo, a city of more than a million people. They're wearing the mouth and nose coverings to protect themselves not from air pollution or the common cold but from the plague, a disease that in the West is more commonly associated with the Middle Ages.
"We are worried because we live in the less-pleasant part of the town," said Raharimalala. "Our place is clean, but in the communities around us, there are dead rats."
In 14th-century Europe, the plague was known as the Black Death and by some estimates caused an estimated 50 million deaths during that period.
<snip>
But now, a deadly outbreak of plague is spreading across Madagascar, a country that already had the highest number of cases of the disease in the world.
And it's spreading fast faster than it has in the past in Madagascar, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
...
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/madagascar-plague-outbreak-1.4329327
DK504
(3,847 posts)But, I think we have know this was coming for a while and hopefully it can be contained.
"Bubonic Plague: Yesterday's Scourge--and Tomorrow's?"
(Madagascar is a place that has had cases of drug-resistant plague in the past.)
inanna
(3,547 posts)And it is true (as per your link) that reduced antibiotic efficacy will be an ongoing problem in confronting future outbreaks of the nightmarish plague.
Thanks for link.
tblue37
(65,552 posts)The first <plague>pandemic occurred during the sixth century a.d., during the reign of the Emperor Justinian. The second pandemic occurred during the Middle Ages--it is the one we call the Black Death. The third pandemic lasted until 1959. Many of you who are reading this article don't realize it, but you are a survivor of the third great bubonic plague pandemic, which killed far more people--over thirteen million!--than the other two pandemics combined.
A new pandemic would undoubtedly exceed the total of 13 million deaths from the third pandemic, which ended in 1959.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)The plague of the middle-ages may have killed less people in number but it was a third of the population of Europe. Put that into account, add population density, subtract for antibiotics, add for antibiotic resistance and the possible numbers are staggering.
paleotn
(18,015 posts)population densities in Africa, South Asia and South Asia are an absolute powder keg for a highly resistant strain of an age old adversary.
FLPanhandle
(7,107 posts)The Black Plague killed somewhere between 1/4 to a 1/2 of Europe's population back in the 14th century. If a plague or virus did the same to the worlds population now, it might not be a bad thing for the planet (though it would suck for the humans).
A harsh truth is that a sharp reduction in human population would be the best thing for the planet
inanna
(3,547 posts)But I'll let you go first! (j/k)
defacto7
(13,485 posts)So maybe we should just let the nukes fly and get it over with.
I'm just being cynical.
paleotn
(18,015 posts)ancianita
(36,238 posts)Antibiotics are great, but U.N.people have to know they are crisis managing.
Where are past efforts to invest in prevention. If there were any, why have outbreaks gotten worse.
Something doesn't seem right about this.
Let's hope this leads to structural changes that serve long term humane interests.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)in recent times. The diversity of animal life is incredible but they have undergone massive destruction of ancient forests. Humans have devastated the island and live in poverty. It was only a matter of time before the clash would cause imbalance and disease.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,501 posts)The UN is already spread thin just trying to keep millions from starvation. Plus, wealthy Western right-wing governments are balking at increased funding. Instead, they want all of the world's social ills such as famine and disease outbreaks to be paid for by charities, not by governments.
I feel the public needs to be more aware of the UN's work and financial needs so they might pitch in. That's difficult in the US because of the Republican and RW media's constant demonizing of the UN for many years. There's a number of good charities around the globe that address this need, but many of those are struggling, too. IMO, governments around the world need to back away from wars and step up to the plate on basic social needs.
dembotoz
(16,866 posts)not perhaps plague but sundry other evil microbes are out there just waiting for our attempts at civilization to break down
YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)How about an asteroid or Yellow Stone blowing up?