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Experts raise alarm as plague kills dozens in Madagascar - CNN.com
The plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacteria found in rodents and spread by fleas. Recent flooding in the nation has displaced tens of thousands of people and an "untold numbers of rats," leading to fears the disease could spread, said Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization.
Once an infected flea bites human beings, they can develop the bubonic plague, which is marked by swollen lymph nodes. If the bacteria reaches the lungs, one can develop pneumonic plague.
The pneumonic type is rare but more dangerous than bubonic plague because it can be transmitted between humans through inhalation and coughing. "If diagnosed early, bubonic plague can be successfully treated with antibiotics," the World Health Organization said. "Pneumonic plague, on the other hand, is one of the most deadly infectious diseases; patients can die 24 hours after infection."
This is the same disease that killed 50 million people in Europe and started the dark ages.
The plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacteria found in rodents and spread by fleas. Recent flooding in the nation has displaced tens of thousands of people and an "untold numbers of rats," leading to fears the disease could spread, said Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization.
Once an infected flea bites human beings, they can develop the bubonic plague, which is marked by swollen lymph nodes. If the bacteria reaches the lungs, one can develop pneumonic plague.
The pneumonic type is rare but more dangerous than bubonic plague because it can be transmitted between humans through inhalation and coughing. "If diagnosed early, bubonic plague can be successfully treated with antibiotics," the World Health Organization said. "Pneumonic plague, on the other hand, is one of the most deadly infectious diseases; patients can die 24 hours after infection."
This is the same disease that killed 50 million people in Europe and started the dark ages.