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 Plague, which is mainly spread by flea-carrying rats, is endemic in
Madagascar. A large outbreak has killed 57 people since late August,
according to the U.N. agency, the first time the disease has
appeared in non-endemic urban areas, including in the capital
Antananarivo.
Seychelles health authorities reported a probable case of pneumonic
plague on Oct 10 in a 34-year-old man returning from a visit to
Madagascar, the WHO said.
"The patient continues to be hospitalized in isolation until
completion of the antibiotic treatment. He is currently asymptomatic
and in stable condition," the WHO said.
Nearly 70 percent of cases in Madagascar have been pneumonic plague,
a form spread human-to-human that is more dangerous than bubonic
plague and can trigger epidemics. The pneumonic form invades the
lungs, and is treatable with antibiotics. If not treated, it is
always fatal and can kill a person within 24 hours.
An initial diagnostic test on the Seychelles man had been "weakly
positive" for pneumonic plague, but definitive laboratory results
are expected from the Institute Pasteur in Paris, the WHO said.
Eight of his contacts "developed mild symptoms and have been
isolated," it said, adding that two other suspected cases, without
any known link, had been isolated and were on treatment.
In all, 11 close contacts and one foreign national, who was not
exposed to the probable case but recently arrived from Madagascar,
are hospitalized as a precautionary measure but do not present signs
of respiratory distress, the WHO said.
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Nearly 1,000 people who were exposed to the man or his close circle
were given a prophylactic course of antibiotics to prevent infection
and spread, it said. They included children, teachers, passengers,
flight crew and health workers.
Seychelles, which has 93,000 people, largely depends on tourism for
government revenues.
"Air Seychelles flights to-from Madagascar were stopped from 8
October to reduce likelihood of further importation of cases from
Madagascar," the WHO said. However, the WHO did not recommend
restrictions on travel or trade.
The Madagascar health ministry has implemented exit screening for
passengers at Antananarivo airport to prevent international spread,
it said.
"The risk of further spread in the Seychelles (should the case be
confirmed) is considered as low and the overall regional and global
risk levels as very low," the WHO said.
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
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