Human plague in India, August-October, 1994.

As of 9 October, the total number of fatalities in India due to plague was 55 (52 from Surat city and 3 from New Delhi). Reasons for the low case-fatality ratio remain to be determined and will require more detailed and reliable clinical and laboratory information. Additional studies into the patterns of transmission in the infected areas are underway or anticipated. By 14 October reports of both suspect and confirmed cases had decreased. The area around the Beed district in the state of Maharashtra was also declared as "infected" under the definition of the International Health Regulations. A WHO expert committee has been in the affected areas and detailed reports are anticipated.