Epidemiology expert Professor Allen Cheng said it is crucial to stop the spread amid claims the disease has reached “crisis point” with over five months to go until the end of plague season. The medieval disease has swept through Madagascar, infecting thousands of people and killing hundreds in the worst outbreak of the Black Death in 50 years. The World Health Organisation (WHO) described the outbreak as “uncharacteristic” and drastic measures have been put in place to stop it spreading. This has included
closing schools and sending supplies and medical officials to affected regions. Professor Cheng, who specializes in epidemiology and preventative medicine at Monash University, said current measures that have been introduced are needed for the “degree of risk”. Rules including screening travelers and preparing countries for an outbreak have been out in place over fears the deadly disease could become a global pandemic. READ MORE
