The authorities in Zambia have issued a public health warning after an anthrax outbreak killed dozens of wild animals and left 12 people infected following the consumption of meat from dead wildlife.
The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit said on Monday that 46 hippos, eight elephants, five buffaloes and one crocodile have died in the Munyamadzi Game Management Area in Muchinga province since July.
National coordinator Norman Chipakupaku said local communities had eaten the carcasses, leading to human infections.
He urged the public not to consume, sell, distribute or handle meat from animals that die suddenly or from unknown causes, and called for hunting in the affected area to be suspended until the extent of the outbreak is established.
Surveillance and laboratory investigations are ongoing.
Anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, survives in soil as spores and primarily affects grazing animals, often leading to sudden death.
Humans can contract the disease through contact with contaminated animal products or by consuming infected meat.
JN/APA