ANTANANARIVO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Malagasy Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday reported four confirmed cases of plague and five suspected cases in the country.
According to an official statement, four confirmed cases were recorded in Ankazobe, Anjozorobe and Ambohimanarisoa, north of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, while the five suspected cases were detected in Midongy Atsimo District, located in the southeastern part of the country.
The ministry said 200 people who had been in contact with the patients were under close medical monitoring and had received preventive treatment.
The cases come as Madagascar has entered a period of increased plague activity that began in late July.
In response, health authorities have implemented several measures, including actively identifying new suspected cases, tracing contacts, and spraying insecticides against fleas in affected areas and their surroundings.
The ministry also urged the public to remain vigilant and follow plague prevention measures. ■