Plague outbreak in Madagascar worsens |17 October 2017
Local authority stays on alert
The Public Health Commissioner Dr Jude Gedeon said the plague outbreak in Madagascar continues and remains uncontrolled.
“No situation report has been submitted during the past three to four days from neither Malagasy authority nor the World Health Organisation,” he said.
He said that from the last report they received, the epidemic is still rising as more people were being affected and deaths were being reported every day.
“This remains a very concerning issue which is why we will keep upholding our precautionary measures in all port of entries,” he said.
In Seychelles, the health authorities have effectively controlled all potential contacts with suspected cases, and all persons under surveillance will be out of the possible infection period by this evening (Tuesday October 17).
Two WHO experts arrived in Seychelles over the weekend to assist with the response. They will be supporting Disease Surveillance and Response Unit (DSRU) in conducting a one-day training for contact tracing today.
Dr Gedeon said a total of 12 people remain admitted in isolation in hospital.
“The index patient (probable case) is still admitted on the hospital ward and has no symptoms and is stable. Today is the 8th day of treatment as per clinical guidelines, the patient is no longer infectious. He remains in isolation to complete his antibiotic course,” he said.
The other eleven patients in the hospital are stable on treatment and asymptomatic. This includes the foreign national.
Laboratory samples were successfully shipped to Pasteur institute France Sunday evening and they are now awaiting results.
“For the patients to be released it will be based on the confirmatory results from the samples sent to Paris,” he said.
He said they will be pleased if all the results come back negative and if a result does come back positive it shows that it was positive when the sample was taken and the patient is now no longer infected as they have followed treatment.
“Those with negative results will be discharged immediately whereas those who are positive will stay behind to complete two full weeks of treatment,” he said.
Meanwhile the 11 family members of the index patient were sent home yesterday after serving their period of isolation without developing any symptoms. All members are now outside of the possible infection period and do not have any risk of infection.
Dr Gedeon is urging members of the public not to stigmatise these members as they are not contagious and their lives should go back to normal.
He said there is a total number of six people admitted at the Perseverance military academy for active surveillance and so far none of them has developed any symptoms.
Three of them are Seychellois nationals who returned from Madagascar via Nairobi on Thursday October 12. They remain well and are receiving prophylaxis.
The two Australians who arrived on Friday October 13 from Mauritius after having spent time in Madagascar will remain in active surveillance for seven days before being released on October 19 if they do not develop any symptoms.
And lastly, a French national who left Madagascar on October 13 via Reunion will remain in the facility until October 19.
A total of 577 children and 63 teachers at Anse Boileau primary school and crèche have been given antibiotic prophylaxis. This is a precautionary measure in view of a potential contact with an admitted child.
“By tomorrow (Tuesday 17th October) they would have spent 7 days after contact with the admitted child. While they have to finish their antibiotics course, they will come off passive surveillance,” he said.
He said the hotline 141 is active and people can call for information and advice.
Should anyone who is on prophylaxis develop fever, cough or other symptoms, they should contact their health centre, the Hotline 141, Dr Jastin Bibi on 2723739 or Dr Naomi Adeline 2711818
Regional Health facilities (Beau Vallon, English River, Les Mamelles, Anse Boileau health centres and Anse Royale and Baie Ste Anne Hospitals) are being used to assess contact and provide prophylaxis.
The Public Health Authority (PHA) is reinforcing the advisory to discourage people from travelling to Madagascar for the time being. Anyone who has information that a Seychellois national is planning to travel to Madagascar should send a report to the Public Health authority or refer to CDCU.