Friday , March 29 2024

THE “BLACK DEATH” – A MYSTERY BECOMING REALITY

No one thought that he/she would ever face this plague again, but they were wrong and now the whole world is challenged with cases of “Black Death”. Contrary to the assumption that this disease was eradicated hundreds of years ago in Middle Age, it is still existing.

“Black Death” is a life-threatening illness, mostly caused by a lack of hygienical standards, which increases the contact between humans and rats. These animals transfer the plague to the human population very fast.

In Madagascar, some people get infected by “Black Death” every year in rain period because in this season the rats enter the houses and pantries and contaminate the food. But somehow this year it became huge. The epidemic´s spread went with unimaginable speed. Different to the past not only the rural regions were affected. A notable number of invalids were counted in urban areas as well.

A reason for this dynamic is the very weak medical infrastructure of the nation as well as a traditional death ritual. In Madagascar every three years the livings lift the dead people out of their graves to wrap them with new shrouds. This process increases the risk of infection and appears to be very unhygienical.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reacted immediately and consequently saved a lot of people´s lives in Madagascar.  The combating of the crisis is expensively in terms of costs and personnel required.

Together with other NGO´s WHO established many hospitals, which make the isolation of patients possible. To handle the high risk of infection trained and skilled staff is needed in every part of the country. It´s important to discover cases of illness early to prevent the spread. A geographical plague operating system with more than 800 voluntary workers are installed.

Moreover, Madagascar´s government closed schools and used protection means to keep the rats outside the rooms. The elucidation of self – protection against “Black Death” occurred with flyers, TV spots adapted to different ages and much more to educate the population.

The crisis in this part of the world is almost handled, for some weeks no one got newly infected with “Black Death”. Nevertheless, WHO´s General – Director Dr. Tedros didn´t confess yet that the crisis is completely over.

“Black Death” isn´t a mystery from the past anymore and there are many steps, which should be taken to prevent this epidemic from ever happening again

 

Story by: Elisabeth Fitzke / Pinkfmonlinegh.com

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