Madagascar close to getting all-clear on the plague

Speaking in a press conference at WTM London, Taleb Rifai, the secretary-general of the UN’s World Tourism Organisation, said the World Health Organisation action’s had made it safe for tourists to return.

However, he admitted the island would need to go for a period of 15 days without a single new case diagnosed in order for it to be given the official all-clear.

He added: “(We have a) message of confidence for anyone that wants to come and visit the islands.

“They should feel that that the ministers and people in charge are keeping an eye on the situation and monitoring it.

“There’s no need for panic or any extraordinary measures to be taken.”

He added there are now no travel restrictions on the island, meaning tourists can return.

Mauritius minister of tourism Anil Kumarsingh Gayan said: “All the countries in the region have very good surveillance systems, these systems are working.

“All the other countries in the region have taken all the measures together with Madagascar.”