Deadly plague epidemic in Madagascar that is at ‘crisis’ point will trigger an outbreak of POLIO because aid workers are now focused only on the ‘medieval disease’, researcher warns
EXCLUSIVE
World Health Organization data shows 2,119 people have now been infected
Scientists are worried the ‘worst outbreak in 50 years’ has reached ‘crisis’ point
Ten countries have been placed on high alert as experts fear it will reach Africa
Other scientists fear this year’s outbreak will reach well beyond mainland Africa
Two thirds of all the cases have been caused by the airborne pneumonic plague
This can spread through coughing, sneezing or spitting and kill within 24 hours
By STEPHEN MATTHEWS
DAILYMAIL.COM
20 November 2017
The deadly plague epidemic in Madagascar that is at ‘crisis’ point will trigger an outbreak of polio, a researcher warns.
Dr Derek Gatherer from Lancaster University fears aid workers will so focused on the ‘medieval disease’ they will forget nationwide efforts to prevent polio cases.
He told MailOnline: ‘It could derail the polio vaccine campaign, which would be a setback for eradication.
‘If [the] Madagascan health service is bursting at its seam coping with plague, then getting the polio vaccine programme running to plan will be something of a challenge.’
At least 171 people have died in the country off the coast of Africa’s ‘worst outbreak in 50 years’ and 2,119 have been infected, World Health Organization figures show.
International aid workers are desperately battling to contain the ‘crisis’, which has prompted 10 nearby African countries to be placed on high alert by the WHO.
Nationwide polio campaigns have been in place in recent years to immunise millions of children aged up to five years old against the paralysing condition.
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