Zambia Warns Against Wildlife Meat As Anthrax Kills 60 Animals, Infects 12 People | Sahara Reporters

No human deaths have been reported from the latest outbreak, while the infected people are receiving treatment.

The State Zambian authorities have warned residents against eating, selling, distributing or handling meat from wildlife after an anthrax outbreak killed 60 wild animals and infected 12 people in Muchinga Province.

The outbreak has resulted in the deaths of 46 hippos, eight elephants, five buffaloes and one crocodile since July in the Munyamadzi Game Management Area, according to Zambia’s Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).

The authorities said the 12 people infected with anthrax contracted the disease after consuming meat from dead wildlife in the Munyamadzi River area.

No human deaths have been reported from the latest outbreak, while the infected people are receiving treatment.

Nrman Chipakupaku, national coordinator of the DMMU, said the consumption of wildlife carcasses by local residents had increased the risk of human infection, particularly because some communities depend on wild animals for food.

“The sad story about the deaths of this wildlife is that the carcasses ended up being eaten by the local people – that’s what they depend on for their food,” Chipakupaku said.

Following the outbreak, authorities urged the public not to consume meat from animals that die naturally or from unknown causes and to report such cases to the relevant authorities.

Residents have also been warned against handling wild animals and consuming or distributing meat from animals that have died suddenly or are suspected to have died from anthrax.

Authorities have called for hunting activities in the affected area to be suspended until investigations establish the extent of the outbreak and the risks associated with it.

Officials have not yet determined the full geographical spread of the latest outbreak, with surveillance and laboratory investigations still ongoing.

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that mainly survives as spores in soil. The spores can remain in the environment for years before entering an animal through inhalation or cuts and wounds.

The disease mainly affects grazing animals and can cause sudden death. Humans can become infected through contact with contaminated animals or animal products, including meat from infected wildlife.

Zambia has experienced anthrax outbreaks previously, although human deaths from the disease are not common.

In 2023, the country recorded what was described as an “unprecedented outbreak”, which killed four people and spread to nine of Zambia’s 10 provinces.

A major outbreak was also reported in 2011, when more than 500 cases were recorded and five people died after consuming meat from infected hippos.

The latest outbreak has raised concerns about the risks posed by the consumption of wildlife carcasses, especially in communities where bush meat forms part of the local food supply.

Authorities are consequently urging residents to avoid contact with dead or sick wildlife and to immediately report suspicious animal deaths.

Officials said ongoing surveillance and laboratory investigations would help determine the geographical extent of the outbreak and guide further measures to contain the disease among wildlife and prevent additional human infections.