Description of the situation
30 October 1997
Disease Outbreak Reported
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.