Plague outbreak in Madagascar kills 40 people since late August, WHO reports

Plague is a disease that affects humans and other mammals. It is caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Humans usually get plague after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium, or by handling an animal infected with plague. Plague is infamous for killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages. Today, modern antibiotics are effective in treating plague. Without prompt treatment, the disease can cause serious illness or death. Presently, human plague infections continue to occur in the western United States, but significantly more cases occur in parts of Africa and Asia.' height='259' alt='Plague bacteria' width='460' src='http://news.guugll.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/plague-outbreak-in-madagascar-kills-40-people-since-late-august-who-reports.jpg' />

A plague outbreak in Madagascar has infected 119 people, including 40 deaths, the World Health Organization said Friday in warning about the risk of spread in the densely populated capital.