By RFIPalled on 09-08-2019Modified on 09-08-2019 at 20:40

In Madagascar, the plague season has started. The first three cases of bubonic plague have just been recorded 50 km west of the capital. No deaths are to be deplored for the moment but the Ministry of Health is watching. As every year, awareness campaigns have started. The goal: to prevent the spread of epidemics like that of 2017, the black year, which had made more than 200 victims and 2,400 people infected by the bacteria throughout the Malagasy territory.

" Do not repeat the mistakes of the past " is the stated ambition of the Ministry of Health. Contacted by telephone, the Director General of Preventive Medicine Dr. Fidiniaina Randriatsarafara indicates that " the information and awareness activities have started . Radio clips are broadcast on local radio stations to remind you that the appearance of ganglia, sudden fever or chest pains requires an immediate visit to the nearest health center.

" A reflex not always obvious " concedes the doctor, in a country where clinics are sometimes several hours of walking and where patients more easily consult traditional healers.

The memory of 2017 in the heads

At present, health centers in plague-endemic areas are all expected to be provided with drugs, since treatment exists to treat both forms of plague on the island. However, admits a ministry official, some clinics are still waiting for their endowment.

Another important preventive measure is the requirement for road transport companies to register the name and telephone number of all passengers during the plague season. In 2017, it was a sick traveler who transmitted the pneumonic plague to other passengers, extending the epidemic to Tamatave . However, according to a regional carrier contacted, many companies do not play the game and are not sanctioned.

At one month of the peak of transmission of the disease, some adjustments still remain to be made to precisely " do not repeat the mistakes of the past ".

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