Disease

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Oman

On 3 January 2016, the National IHR Focal Point of Oman notified WHO of 1 additional case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection.

Bubonic Plague in Madagascar - Update

The latest outbreak of bubonic plague on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar has killed 63 people since August, the Health Ministry said.

At least 174 cases of the disease have been detected, Maherisoa Ratsitorahina, head of disease surveillance at the ministry, said in a statement Thursday in the capital, Antananarivo. Madagascar notified the World Health Organization of the current outbreak in September.

Efforts to curb the spread of the disease are being impeded by a build-up of garbage in Antananarivo amid a dispute between the municipality and the national government over who is responsible for waste management in the city.