[Clinical epidemiology of plague in Madagascar (current data)]

Abstract

After a recall of the epidemiological cycle of plague, the authors describe the course of this disease from 1989 to 1992. Out of 2676 pathological samples suspected of plague, 2105 biological examinations were carried out. 312 cases were confirmed and 335 considered as probable. 93% of those positive cases come from the plague triangle located in the Central Highlands and delimited by Ambatondrazaka, Miarinarivo and Fianarantsoa and they occur during the rainy season (November to March). However, an outbreak of urban epidemics is possible on the coast during the cold season. The most frequent clinical form had been bubonic plague (90%). Plague did not much concern young children and men are affected more often than women. Clinically, toxi-infectious syndrome, lymph node reaction and hemoptoïc spits can be noted. The 1989-1992 results are compared with those of the two previous studies.