What Ebola can teach us about a new bubonic plague outbreak in Africa

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Sat, 2014-12-06 20:51 — mike kraft

THE WEEK -- by S.E. Smith Dec. 5, 2014
While West Africa battles Ebola, another outbreak is striking just across the continent. In Madagascar, cases of plague are erupting in the small village of Mandritsara and the disease is spreading to neighboring communities. The two outbreaks are related by more than simple surface similarities, though. In fact, fighting the first has provided an invaluable blueprint for containing the second. West Africa's Ebola outbreak could inform responders to Madagascar's plague cases.

West Africa's Ebola outbreak could inform responders to Madagascar's plague cases. (John Moore/Getty Images)

As with Ebola, false claims about the plague spread quickly and infect body politics around the world....

So one vital lesson learned from Ebola is that scientific literacy is key for the media, to ensure that reporting is accurate and designed to inform, rather than frighten. Making sure scientists are heard is key, which is why many have turned to blogs, Twitter, and other online venues for communicating information about Ebola directly to the public. Before the plague story snowballs, first responders in Madagascar must do the same.

But there are more important lessons that responders are learning on the ground in West Africa, too. These tools aren't just useful for handling the current situation, but also for controlling outbreaks in the future — including, possibly, the ongoing outbreak in Madagascar.
Read complete article.
http://theweek.com/article/index/272990/what-ebola-can-teach-us-about-a-new-bubonic-plague-outbreak-in-africa

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