ABSTRACT
"The history of flu in Madagascar"" : The purpose of this paper is to actualize the historical data on influenza in Madagascar. The first outbreak of flu probably occured in 1890. The first epidemic fully described was in 1893. Between 1890 and 1957; 11 outbreaks of influenza were registered. Since 1978; the unit of virology of the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar is the National Reference Center of the World Health Organization for influenza in Madagascar. Between 1975 and 2002; 12 epidemics of flu were registered confirmed by viral isolation. Madagascan terms used to design fever diseases are discussed."
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Humans/history , Influenza, HumanABSTRACT
"An outbreak of puffer fish poisoning in Madagascar"" : An outbreak of puffer fish poisoning in a family with four cases of which one was fatal is reported. The outbreak occurred in July 1998 in Nosy Be; an island located at the north-western part of Madagascar. Diagnostic investigation with application of the mouse bioassay suggested poisoning with a tetrodotoxin as the etiology. The amount of the toxin was 16 MU (mouse unit) per gram meal. A continuing surveillance of the seafood intoxications either in the country or in the west Indian Ocean region is needed."