Plague, a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, has affected humans for thousands of years and has been responsible for three major pandemics in human history, causing millions of deaths. The first, known as the Plague of Justinian, occurred in the 6th century; the second, known as the Black Death, occurred in the 14th century, killing up to one-third of the European population; and the third began in the late 19th century. Considered today a re-emerging disease, plague is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected fleas and is associated with high mortality rates, especially in endemic, resource-limited settings. Therefore, early identification and prompt management of cases are crucial to ensure improved clinical and public health outcomes and inform the implementation of appropriate control measures. Recent data from a randomized controlled trial on bubonic plague offer valuable insights into plague treatment strategies and may be used to support global control efforts.
Objectives
- To present an overview of the WHO global strategy for plague control, illustrating current technical guidance on surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, clinical management, and coordinated outbreak response mechanisms,
- To disseminate the key findings from a recent randomized controlled trial on bubonic plague treatment, with a focus on comparative efficacy and safety profiles of two antibiotic regimens, as well as the diagnostic performance of laboratory and point-of-care tests,
- To engage international and national partners in a technical conversation on the public health implications of the study findings and to discuss evidence-informed next steps programmatic action.
Speakers
Introduction of EPI-WIN, housekeeping, introduction to topic and speakers: EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO HQ
Dr. Lorenzo Pezzoli, WHO HQ (moderator)
Opening remarks: Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, EPM, WHO HQ
Plague control: a global overview and current WHO recommendations: Dr. Nicolo’ Binello, WHO HQ
IMASOY: a randomized control trial on bubonic plague:
Prof. Piero Olliaro, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
Dr. Rindra Vatosoa Randremanana, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Dr. Mihaja Raberahona, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Joseph Raseta Befelatanana, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Panel discussion on next steps and Q&A: Dr. Lorenzo Pezzoli, WHO HQ (moderator)
Closing remarks: EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO HQ