The plague outbreak in Madagascar has now killed 74 people, with 805 cases recorded in more than two months, the health ministry says.

Ten days ago, the death toll stood at 33 with 230 people infected.

There are normally about 400 cases of plague every year on the Indian Ocean island nation.

This year the majority of cases are of pneumonic plague, which affects the lungs and is transmitted through coughing.

Moreover, the current outbreak is unusual as it has affected urban areas, including the capital, Antananarivo, the World Health Organization says.

According to the AFP news agency, passengers at the city’s transport hubs are subject to medical inspections, infected areas have been fumigated to kill fleas.

Public gatherings have also been banned and schools and universities are shut.

The less deadly bubonic plague, which is more common on the island, is often spread by rodents fleeing forest fires.

Humans usually become ill after being bitten by infected fleas.