MARCH 26, 2001

Plague in Zambia

WHO has received preliminary reports of 23 hospitalized cases, including 3 deaths in Petauke district, Eastern Province. The last case reported was 15 March 2001.

Measures have been taken to intensify surveillance, strengthen control and management of the disease and provide health education messages on its prevention.  

JULY 27, 1999

Plague in Malawi

Since 18 June a number of sporadic suspect cases of plague have occurred in Nsanje district, Southern Region. Up to 21 July, 74 suspect cases had been reported from a total of 22 villages. Six villages along the Mozambican border were the most affected reporting around 3 to 4 suspect cases each. Some of the other villages reported only one suspect case each. The treatment of patients is under way as well as environmental control measures which include spraying and dusting of affected and surrounding housing areas, health education on proper storage of foodstuffs and refuse disposal. The situation was being handled effectively by the Ministry of Health but drug supplies have been depleted and more may be needed. WHO has offered its assistance to the national health authorities.

The last outbreak of plague in Malawi was in 1997 when a total of 582 cases were reported including cases in Nsanje, Chikwawa and Ntchisi Districts, all in Southern Region.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has reported plague cases in Ohangwena Region in the north western part of the country. The first suspected case was reported on 6 April and 39 cases have occurred up to 5 May, 6 of which have been laboratory confirmed. Eight patients have died of suspected plague.

The North West regional directorate team, which has had experience in dealing with plague, has undertaken control activities, including training courses for health workers, community mobilization for preventive measures, additional nurses placed at local hospitals and dusting of homesteads.

The Ministry of Health report also states that, although plague has been endemic in this part of the country, it was successfully controlled in recent years, the last known cases having occurred in January 1994.

NOVEMBER 6, 1998

Plague in Uganda

The Ministry of Health of Uganda is investigating reports of plague in the district of Arua. Since April, 49 cases have been reported. WHO is awaiting confirmation of the number of deaths. Cases of human plague have been recorded on 3 occasions over the past 30 years: in 1982 (153 cases, 3 deaths); 1986 (340 cases, 27 deaths); and 1993 (167 cases, 18 deaths).

NOVEMBER 21, 1997

Plague in Mozambique - Update

The total number of plague cases which have occurred in Mutarara District, Tete Province has increased to 335 since June when the outbreak began. No deaths have been reported. Cases are limited to this area where plague reappeared in 1994 for the first time in than 15 years. The epidemic in 1994 lasted from the end of August to the end of October and caused 216 cases of bubonic plague of which three were fatal.

OCTOBER 30, 1997

Plague in Malawi

The Ministry of Health has reported an outbreak of plague in Nsanje District in the Southern Region of the country. The first case was reported on 29 September in Madani Village, Ndamera Traditional Authority Area. A total of 43 cases (17 of which are seropositive) have been reported up to 23 October. Two other areas have also been affected. Over 60% of cases are children under 5 years. No deaths have been reported.

Control measures being taken include spraying of houses, treatment of patients and health education through dissemination of health messages at the local level. The Ministry of Health will strengthen active surveillance and investigation of cases and will inform WHO if technical assistance is required.

Plague was previously reported in Nsanje District in 1994 when 9 cases occurred in Mozambican refugees in Mankhokwe refugee camp and surrounding villages.

AUGUST 8, 1997

Plague in Mozambique

The Ministry of Health has reported that 115 cases of plague have occurred between 7 June and 4 July in Mutarara District, Tete Province, a plague endemic zone. No deaths have been reported. An outbreak last occurred in this area în late 1994 when 216 cases were reported. The Ministry of Health has taken appropriate measures to control this outbreak.

FEBRUARY 7, 1997

Bubonic Plague in Zambia

As at 3 February 1997, 267 cases of bubonic plague had been reported in Namwala District in the Southern Province. Among these, 26 died (CFR 10%) and 25 patients were still under treatment. All reported deaths occurred before 26 January. The clinical diagnosis established by the South West Regional Office has been confirmed by a team of experts from the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. The strain of Yersinia pestis which has been isolated has been shown to be sensitive to tetracycline and streptomycin.

When the first reports of an unusual disease outbreak were received on 24 January, health authorities established treatment centres in the outbreak focus in Kantengwa and satellite centres in Makobo, Chilala and Kabulamwanda. Drugs, medical supplies and protective material have been dispatched to the affected area. All patient contacts are followed up and treated, infected households are disinfected and rodents and fleas destroyed. A team of health workers monitors the situation and intervenes when needed. Movements in and out of the area are also monitored.

JANUARY 31, 1997

Bubonic Plague in Zambia

Between 13 December 1997 and 27 January 1997, 90 cases of plague with 22 deaths were reported in Namwala District in the Southern Province. Fifteen cases have been isolated. The diagnosis is at present based on clinical presentation and laboratory diagnosis is expected imminently when a medical team returns from the area. The outbreak could be linked heavy rain and flooding causing rats to invade inhabited areas. Fleas are also abundant. The first human cases presented with inguinal, axillary and cervical abscesses in December and deaths began to occur in early January. Control measures now include control of fleas and rodents and treating and isolating patients.

Comment: Plague is endemic in many countries in southern Africa where natural foci still exist, such as in neighboring Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe but also in Madagascar, Namibia and South Africa. The cases reported in Zambia are bubonic plague which is not an airborne infection as the pulmonary form of plague. There are no restrictions for travelers visiting Zambia or in transit in airports in the country.

No other news since 1996