Cases have increased by 8% in just a week with nearly 2,000 people infected by the deadly airborne strain. Some 143 people have now been killed by the “medieval disease” in Madagascar. There are now warnings the plague could stretch across the sea and reach mainland Africa. Such an outbreak would be catastrophic and there are fears the virus could go global. Nine countries are now on high alert and have
been told to brace for the plague. The airborne pneumonic plague can be spread by coughing, sneezing and spitting. It can kill in just 24 hours and is very different from the bubonic plague – which triggered the medieval outbreak known as the “black death”. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said the current outbreak has lasted for six months. READ MORE
