UN steps up aid to Madagascar after plague kills 21 

The UN Health Agency WHO says it is stepping up its response to an outbreak of plague in Madagascar that has claimed 21 lives so far.

The WHO earlier said it is boosting its response to the plague as the government has banned public meetings to reduce infections.

In a televised address Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonan drasana said no public meetings or demonstrations would be allowed in the capital Antananarivo, which has seen six deaths in recent days. 

At airports and bus stations, measures will be taken for passengers to avoid panic in a bid to control the disease. 

It says the authorities are trying to trace people who may have contacted affected people and they will be administered antibiotics against the pneumonic plague.

WHO says it is deploying further staff and supplies amid concerns that the disease could spread further.

So far 114 people have been infected with the plague since the outbreak was identified in late August.

Both pneumonic and bubonic plagues are endemic on the island.

SOURCE: NEWS24
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