Anthrax, a deadly disease caused by spore-forming bacteria, has been spreading across five countries in East and Southern Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The agency said on Monday that more than 1,100 suspected cases and 20 deaths had been reported this year in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The WHO said the outbreaks were “likely being driven by multiple factors, including climatic shocks, food insecurity, low-risk perception and exposure to the disease through handling the meat of infected animals”. Anthrax usually affects livestock like cattle, sheep, and goats, as well as wild herbivores. Humans can be infected if they are exposed to animals or contaminated animal products.
Anthrax is not generally considered to be contagious between humans, although there have been rare cases of person-to-person transmission, the WHO says. The disease can be treated with antibiotics if detected early, but it can be fatal if left untreated. Anthrax can also be used as a biological weapon, as seen in the 2001 attacks in the United States when five people died and 17 others fell sick after being exposed to anthrax spores in letters sent through the mail.
The WHO said it was working with the affected countries to provide technical and operational support, as well as vaccines and antibiotics, to contain the outbreaks and prevent further spread. The agency also urged people to avoid contact with sick or dead animals and to report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility.
Zambia was experiencing its worst outbreak since 2011, with 684 suspected cases and four deaths as of Nov. 20, the WHO said. Human cases of anthrax have been reported in nine out of Zambia’s 10 provinces. In one instance, 26 people were suspected of contracting the disease from eating contaminated hippopotamus meat.
Malawi reported its first human case this year, while Uganda had reported 13 deaths. Kenya and Zimbabwe had also seen sporadic cases in some districts, the WHO said.
Anthrax outbreaks are not uncommon in Africa, where environmental and socio-economic factors can create favorable conditions for the bacteria to thrive. In 2019, more than 100 people in Kenya were hospitalized after eating meat from infected cows. In 2017, more than 100 hippos died from anthrax in Namibia’s Bwabwata National Park.
The WHO said it was collaborating with other partners, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health, to address the root causes of the outbreaks and strengthen the surveillance and response systems in the region.
The agency also stressed the importance of raising awareness among the public and the health workers about the signs and symptoms of anthrax, and the preventive measures that can be taken to protect themselves and their animals.
Anthrax is one of the oldest diseases known to humanity, and it still poses a serious threat to public health and animal welfare in many parts of the world. However, with timely and coordinated action, it can be effectively controlled and eliminated.
Source: MSN
