The deadly airborne plague spreading rapidly across Madagascar is now at ‘crisis’ point as cases have rocketed by 37 percent in just five days, official figures reveal. The outbreak, the ‘worst in 50 years’, is being fueled by a strain more lethal than the one which usually strikes the country off the coast of Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) now states there are 1,801 suspected cases – significantly higher than the 1,309 it reported last Thursday. Academics have revealed such a jump in cases over the period

of five days is concerning and have predicted it could get worse. The most recent statistics show there have been 127 deaths. Professor Robin May, an infectious diseases expert at Birmingham University, told MailOnline that ‘whichever way you look’ at the outbreak, it’s ‘concerning definitely’. Analysis of figures by MailOnline shows the epidemic could strike a further 20,000 people in just a matter of weeks if current trends continue. It could be made worse by crowds gathering for an annual celebration to honor the dead earlier this week. MORE

 


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