Authorities in Zambia have issued a warning against consuming meat from wildlife after an anthrax outbreak led to the deaths of dozens of animals, including hippos, elephants, buffalo, and a crocodile. The incident has resulted in 12 people being treated for anthrax after they consumed meat from infected carcasses in the Munyamadzi River area.
A disaster management agency official stated that the public should refrain from eating meat from animals that die naturally or from unexplained causes, and report any such instances. Hunting in the affected area has also been temporarily suspended pending further investigation into the extent and risks associated with the disease.
While anthrax is endemic to Zambia, human fatalities are uncommon. In 2023, the country experienced a significant outbreak that claimed four lives and spread across nine provinces. A larger outbreak in 2011 reported over 500 cases, resulting in five deaths from the consumption of meat from infected hippos.
In the current outbreak within the Munyamadzi Game Management Area in Muchinga province, officials reported that 46 hippos, eight elephants, five buffaloes, and one crocodile have died since July. The national coordinator for the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, Norman Chipakupaku, noted that local residents often rely on such wildlife for food, leading to the consumption of infected carcasses.
No human deaths have been reported in the latest incident, and the 12 infected individuals are currently receiving medical treatment. Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can persist in the environment as spores. The disease primarily affects grazing animals and can cause sudden death. Transmission to humans typically occurs through contact with contaminated animal products. Officials are continuing surveillance and laboratory investigations to determine the full geographical scope of the outbreak.