4.40pm GMT: WHO reports decline in cases
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that Black Death cases could “spike” again, despite a dip in the number of reported incidents.
WHO tweeted earlier today: “The daily number of plague cases reported in Madagascar has been declining as of 12 October. Most recent confirmed case: 20 October.
“Even if the recent declining trend is confirmed, we can’t rule out the possibility of further plague spikes in Madagascar between now and April 2018.”
4.02pm GMT: Madagascar ritual of digging up the dead coincides with plague outbreak
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The ancient Madagascan ceremony of ‘famadihana’, or turning of the bones, has been linked to the spread of the plague.
Famadihana involves digging up the corpses of deceased loved-ones before rewrapping their bodies and dancing with them in the streets.
The ceremonies takes place in Madagascar between July and October, and health officials say that it is no coincidence that the practice coincides with the outbreak of the plague.
Willy Randriamarotia, Madagascar’s health ministry chief of staff, said: “If a person dies of pneumonic plague and is then interred in a tomb that is subsequently opened for the ritual, the bacteria can still be transmitted and contaminate whoever handles the body.”
3.28pm GMT: Black Death could spread, warn scientists
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued health warnings for the nine nations that are most as risk of suffering a Black Death outbreak.
WHO officials have said the chance of the epidemic spreading is “high”, and are now working tirelessly to predict the next epidemic.
Countries in the disease’s possible path include South Africa, Kenya and British holiday hotspot The Seychelles.
3pm GMT: Unicef says Black Plague death toll reaches 124 in Madagascar
At least 113 people have died in Madagascar after contracting the Black Death, with more than 1,300 infected, according to UNICEF.
But a WHO spokesperson told the Independent: “The Ministry of Health [in Madagascar] has reported 1,231 cases and 124 deaths – mostly of pneumonic plague – between 1 August and 25 October.
“The proportion of pneumonic plague – the form which can be transmitted from person to person – is much higher than in the past.”
Scientists fear the death toll will rise as containment operations continue.
Although the plague is not an uncommon disease in Madagascar, the African island has not suffered an outbreak this severe for decades.
Dr Arthur Rakotonjanabelo of WHO said: “Plague is a disease of poverty, because it thrives in places with poor sanitary conditions and health services.”