Plague reappearance in Algeria after 50 years, 2003.
An outbreak of plague occurred in the region of Oran, Algeria, from June to July 2003. Algeria had not reported this disease for >50 years. Eighteen bubonic cases were identified, and Yersinia pestis was isolated from 6 patients. Except for the index case-patient, all patients recovered. Targeted chemoprophylaxis, sanitation, and vector control played a crucial role in controlling the outbreak. Epidemiologic and biomolecular findings strongly suggested the existence of a local animal reservoir during this period, but its origin (resurgence or re-importation) could not be determined. This sudden and unexpected reemergence of plague, close to an important commercial seaport, is a textbook illustration of a public health event of international importance. It also demonstrates that the danger of plague reoccurrence is not limited to the currently indexed natural foci.
Bertherat
Eric
E
World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. bertherate@who.int
Bekhoucha
Souad
S
Chougrani
Saada
S
Razik
Fathia
F
Duchemin
Jean B
JB
Houti
Leila
L
Deharib
Larbi
L
Fayolle
Corinne
C
Makrerougrass
Banaouda
B
Dali-Yahia
Radia
R
Bellal
Ramdan
R
Belhabri
Leila
L
Chaieb
Amina
A
Tikhomirov
Evgueni
E
Carniel
Elisabeth
E
D000462:Algeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods; D016358:Contact Tracing; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004199:Disease Vectors; D006801:Humans; D010930:Plague / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D012499:Sanitation; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000382:microbiology