EUROPE/GREAT BRITAIN - World Health Organisation estimates 1,000-3,000 cases of plague every year: a growing threat although still undervalued

Liverpool (Agenzia Fides) - Plague is re-emerging in the world and according to a team of British researchers this growing threat is still undervalued. The warning was given in a report published by a group of scholars at the University of Liverpool in 'PloS Medicine' of Public Library of Science (PloS), a non profit US organisation.
The causative bacterium (Yersinia pestis) was discovered by Yersin in 1894 . Case-fatality ratio varies from 30% to 100%, if left untreated. Plague is endemic in many countries in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. More than 90% of cases are currently being reported from Africa.
Since the bacteria carried by rats the threat is impossible to eliminate. And for the first time in recent years has caused a series of epidemics in Africa. The World Health Organisation estimates between 1.000-3.000 cases of plague every year concentrated mainly in Madagascar, Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda and Democratic Congo. In the United States 10-20 cases are registered every year.
Researchers are concerned that after years of relative inactivity, in recent years epidemics seem to be growing. The scholars call for more research to understand better how to prevent contagion and control the disease in areas where people do not have access to life-saving drugs. But also in view of defence if the plague were used as a bio-terrorist weapon.
(AP) (22/1/2008 Agenzia Fides; Righe:23; Parole:257)