Authorities in Zambia have warned the public not to eat meat from wildlife following an anthrax outbreak that has killed dozens of animals, including hippos, elephants, buffalo and a crocodile.
The outbreak has been recorded in the Munyamadzi Game Management Area in Muchinga province. Since July, 46 hippos, eight elephants, five buffaloes and one crocodile have died.
Zambia's Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit confirmed that 12 people have been infected after consuming dead wildlife in the Munyamadzi River area. No human deaths have been reported, and all 12 infected individuals are currently receiving treatment.
"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," said the unit's national coordinator, Norman Chipakupaku.
Authorities have urged the public not to consume, sell, distribute or handle meat from animals that have died suddenly or from unknown causes. The public has also been advised against handling wild animals and has been encouraged to report any such cases to the relevant authorities.
Officials have called for hunting in the affected area to be suspended until the extent of the disease and associated risks are established. Surveillance and laboratory investigations are ongoing, and the full geographical extent of the outbreak has not yet been determined.
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which survives as spores 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. The disease can be transmitted from animals to humans through contact with contaminated animal products.
Anthrax is endemic to Zambia, though human deaths are not common. In 2023, the country experienced what was described as an "unprecedented outbreak," which killed four people and spread to nine out of ten provinces. A large-scale outbreak was also reported in 2011, with more than 500 cases, when five people died after consuming meat from infected hippos.
