Zambians warned not to eat dead wildlife after anthrax kills dozens of animals

Authorities in Zambia have cautioned residents not to eat meat from wildlife after dozens of wild animals, including hippos, elephants, buffalo and a crocodile died after an anthrax outbreak.

Key points

• When five residents died after consuming meat from infected hippos, another large-scale outbreak was documented in 2011, with more than 500 cases.
• A disaster management agency official remarked over the weekend that 12 residents had been infected with the disease after consuming dead wildlife in the Munyamadzi River area.
• No human deaths have been documented, and the 12 infected residents are at present receiving treatment.
• While urging the public to report any such cases, the official pressed the public not to consume meat from animals that die naturally or from unknown causes.
• Authorities have additionally called on hunting in the affected area to be suspended until the extent of the disease and associated risks are established.

Notably, a disaster management agency official remarked over the weekend that 12 residents had been infected with the disease after consuming dead wildlife in the Munyamadzi River area.

Authorities have not yet ascertained the full geographical extent of the latest outbreak, with surveillance and laboratory investigations ongoing.

Anthrax is endemic to Zambia but human deaths are not common. In 2023, the country experienced what was described as an "unprecedented outbreak". It killed four individuals and spread to nine out of 10 provinces.

In the latest outbreak in the Munyamadzi Game Management Area, in Muchinga province, Zambia's Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit remarked 46 hippos, eight elephants, five buffaloes and one crocodile had died since July.

"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, " remarked the unit's national coordinator Norman Chipakupaku.

Anthrax is caused by a bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. It largely survives as spores that hide away in soil for years before entering an animal through inhalation or a cut or wound.

It mainly affects grazing animals and can lead to sudden death. It can be transmitted from animals to humans through contact with contaminated animal products.

Zambians have been pressed not to consume, sell, distribute or handle meat from animals that have died suddenly or from suspected anthrax. The public has additionally been advised against handling wild animals. You may additionally be interested in. The mystery of Anthrax Island and the seeds of death. Fifty hippos killed by anthrax in DR Congo. Inside Africa's biggest bushmeat market.

Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

Taken together, the developments around zambians warned not to eat dead wildlife after anthrax kills dozens of point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.