Anthrax kills 46 hippos and infects 12 people in Zambia — Anadolu Agency
An anthrax outbreak in Mpika District, Muchinga Province, northern Zambia, has killed 46 hippos, eight elephants, five buffaloes and one crocodile. According to the authorities, 12 people became infected after consuming the meat of wild animals whose carcasses tested positive for anthrax.
People are receiving treatment
The infected people are receiving treatment. The Zambian government has deployed a multisectoral team to the Munyamadzi Game Reserve and the riverine area in Mpika District to contain the outbreak. This was reported by Anadolu Agency, citing a statement by Norman Chipakupaku, national coordinator of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit.
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Hunting advised to be suspended
Chipakupaku said that hunting in the affected area should be temporarily suspended until surveillance establishes the situation regarding the disease and the risks associated with it. He also called for all cases of unexplained animal deaths to be reported to the relevant authorities immediately.
According to him, the authorities will strengthen the work of wildlife police and checkpoints to guard sites where carcasses are located, prevent their removal and consumption, and improve reporting of such cases. Residents were urged not to eat the meat of animals that died of natural causes or for unknown reasons, and not to come into contact with carcasses.
