Can we predict the world’s next pandemic

Scientists have warned there is “something different” about the new Black Death outbreak spreading across the world. Plague warnings were being issued for nine countries in south-east Africa this week, as authorities rushed to contain an outbreak of Black Death. It’s the same bacteria that led to one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, killing an estimated 25 million people in Medieval Europe. The recent outbreak is believed to have started in Madagascar, an island nation off the African coast, and at least 1300 people have been infected. It’s a serious bacterial infection transmitted by fleas, and can be easily treated with antibiotics, but so far 124 have been reported dead. “Plague, though terrifying, is nothing new in Madagascar, where about 600 cases are reported annually,” the World Health Organisation said on its website. However, WHO officials warned there is “something different” about this outbreak, and “health officials couldn’t explain it”. “Plague is a disease...