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Pneumonic plague outbreak in Madagascar sets BIA on edge
A crisis situation in Madagascar, due to an outbreak of the pneumonic plague that has killed about 127 people and infected thousands, has become a point of concern to tourist destinations including Sri Lanka.
The Quarantine Unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) said they are awaiting a travel alert from the WHO, to introduce measures to scan and check tourists arriving in Sri Lanka from tourist hotpots Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, La Reunion, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Comoros. The WHO has advised the above mentioned 9 countries and territories, which have trade links with Madagascar, to review their protocols for quarantining infected visitors.
Director Quarantine, Dr Palitha Karunapema said there is little chance of the plague spreading in the Pacific region. “It is a localised epidemic in that country, hence, we need not get alarmed,” he said.
He said the WHO is in contact with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) on which data the ‘Red Alert’ is issued to countries at risk.
However, he said all foreigners who visit the Health Desk at the BIA are observed for symptoms of the disease. “There is no particular screening done,” he said.
The symptoms include fever, headache, weakness, rapidly developing pneumonia, shortness of breath, chest pain and cough.
Dr Karunapema said that outbound tourists from Sri Lanka to the country, will be warned by the International Association of Travel Agents (IATA). This will include the risk of traveling to the country and will be advised on prevention, post exposure chemoprophylaxis (use of chemical agent to prevent the development of a disease) and the need to take medical treatment in case of developing symptoms.
“The risk of having the disease here is very low. However, we are on alert and are in touch with the WHO. We have a good communication system with them,” he said.
The disease is spread by a bacterial strain called Yersinia pestis found in the digestive tract of fleas of animals (rodents) and is spread when they bite humans. It is spread from person to person through coughing and throwing out sputum.