Plague in Madagascar: 40 dead, 80 infected

[shenmue]

http://m.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30152979

[LeftishBrit]

1. That is awful.

[etherealtruth]

2. Also from the BBC:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-24483244

Madagascar faces a bubonic plague epidemic unless it slows the spread of the disease - with prisoners in the island's rat-infested jails particularly at risk, experts warn.

The island had 256 plague cases and 60 deaths last year, the world's highest recorded number.

The number of cases rises each October as hot humid weather attracts fleas, which transmit the disease from rats and other animals to humans.

The BBC outlines the scale of the threat to the southern African nation - in 60 seconds.

On edit: sorry for the crazy subject line

[NaturalHigh]

3. Bad stuff.

Most people think of the plague as something from the past. I'm not sure if most people know that we have a handful of cases in the U.S every year.

[darkangel218]

5. Yes. And i blame the squirrels for it. nt.

[MineralMan]

4. Plague is endemic in rodents in several western states.

Every year, a few cases in humans pop up. Most people in the US who contract plague are successfully treated and survive. Most cases come from flea bites from fleas that had fed on the rodent vector.

[RandiFan1290]

6. I wonder if they've closed the shipyards? nt

[Silent3]

7. Worrying about infectious diseases is just soooo last month!

The midterms are over, and immigration fury is enough to rally "the base".

Move along. Nothing to see here.

[zeemike]

9. Yep

Move on to the next fear.

[LeftyMom]

8. Cheaper than dirt generic antibiotics will cure it.

A few people a year get it in the Sierra, the rodents are carriers. You take a course of $4 plan antibiotics and you're good as new.

[underpants]

10. Wow that is to talk off the radar for Murkans media

Thanks for the info