Authorities in Zambia are warning residents to avoid consuming, handling and distributing wild animal meat following a deadly anthrax outbreak.
Affected animals include hippos, elephants, buffalo and crocodiles, all of which died after ingesting the naturally occurring toxic bacteria.
The country’s National Disaster Risk Management Department alerted the public to an “outbreak of suspected anthrax cases and environmental contamination in Muchinga District” in northeastern Zambia last week.
“The government, through disaster risk management structures at the provincial and district levels, conducted assessments to determine the extent of the outbreak and put in place measures aimed at containing the situation, protecting communities and preserving livelihoods,” the statement read.
Members of the public have also been warned not to “slaughter” live animals or “butcher” animals found dead, because handling infected carcasses could expose people to anthrax infection.
Get weekly health news
Get the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
“Avoid contact with blood, tissues and other materials from suspected infected animals, and immediately report unusual or unexplained deaths of animals to the relevant veterinary, health or disaster management authorities,” the government department said.
In a Weekend updateVeterinary experts and police officers are investigating the outbreak, said Norman Chibakobaku, national coordinator of the National Disaster Risk Management Division.
He confirmed that 46 hippopotamuses, five buffalo, one crocodile and eight elephants died during the outbreak. He explained that local residents ate the bodies; 12 were injured and are receiving treatment.
“The good news is that no one died,” he said, adding that a plane and staff from the Ministry of Health had been sent to the outbreak area to conduct further tests and treat affected patients. Chibakobako said officials suspect the number of infections will rise.
He continued that the authorities are working to mitigate the risks of smuggling contaminated meat from the region to larger markets, saying that the police have placed roadblocks to prevent vehicles that may carry contaminated meat.
Hunting has also been temporarily suspended in the affected area until the full investigation is completed.
Anthrax It is caused by a spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis that lives in the soil and affects grazing animals, which can become infected when they consume the dormant spores. People usually become ill from eating meat from infected livestock.
People can become infected with anthrax spores through a cut or scrape on the skin, inhaling it, or eating food or drinking water contaminated with the spores, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Anthrax occurs naturally in soil throughout the world. It can also be grown artificially and has been used in Bioterrorism attacks. In 2001, powdered anthrax was mailed to media headquarters and US senators’ offices in Washington, D.C., and Florida, killing five people and sickening 17 others.
Anthrax can be released undetected, and the spores may be difficult to see, smell, or taste.
It can spread in food, drink and the air. Inhaling anthrax spores can make people sick very quickly, and the attack may not be detected until doctors see a lot of patients with anthrax symptoms and can alert public health authorities.
Symptoms can range from small, itchy bumps or blisters to early flu-like symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, confusion or dizziness, according to Cleveland Clinic.
&Copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
