Black Death on Madagascar

(Antananarivo, Madagascar)

At least 39 people have been killed by an outbreak of bubonic plague in Madagascar in recent weeks, the country’s health ministry confirmed yesterday.

“There is an epidemic in Madagascar which is currently affecting five districts out of 112. Eighty-six people have been infected by the plague, of which 39 have died,” the ministry said.

Police in the northwestern district of Mandritsara had said on Wednesday the deceased could not be treated in time. But the death toll they gave, which was 20, was revised upwards yesterday.

About 60 people in Madagascar were killed by the plague last year.

Update your travel plans accordingly.