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Zimbabwe: Anthrax27 Dec 2009The Sunday Mail [edited][ProMed]One person and 25 cattle died last week following an outbreak of the deadly anthrax disease in Chegutu [Mashonaland West] and Seke[Mashonaland East].As part of measures to curb the spread of the disease, the Veterinary Field Services in the Ministry of Agriculture promptly launched aprogram to vaccinate more than 100,000 head of cattle in the affected areas, which also include Selous and Mhondoro.The department's deputy director warned people against consuming meat from "suspicious" sources and slaughtering cattle which appear sick. Related stories29 Dec 2009- Anthrax outbreak feared to be spreading in Zimbabwe Globaltimes.cn [edited][ProMed]Zimbabwe- Anthrax07 Dec 2009Mi Salud [edited][ProMed]An outbreak of anthrax involving 3 deaths has been reported to the United Nations.According to the Save the Children Fund organization, the outbreak has resulted in the deaths of 2 children and one adult and threatened some 60 000 head of cattle in the northern valley of the Zambezi. 32 human cases had been detected [diagnosed, under treatment?] in Binga District. June Ghana- Anthrax kills 2 in Upper East Region25 Jun 2009The Ghanian Chronicle [edited][ProMed]The refusal of some owners of livestock, at Tindongo in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region, to vaccinate their animals against anthrax, has led to the death of 2 persons, 11 animals, and left 7 other persons sick.A veterinarian explained that anthrax was caused by anthrax bacteria Bacillus anthracis. It was soil-borne, and when animals grazed, especially during the dry season, or when the grasses were too low, they picked up some of the spores from the soil. The germs then multiply in the animal leading to its death. When people consume the meat of the dead animals, they also contract the disease. The victims are then hit with boils on various parts of the body. [From handling the contaminated carcass and meat. Gastro-enteric cases follow fromconsuming said meat. - Mod.MHJ]According to him, between [4-20 Mar 2009], staff of his office embarked on a vaccination exercise in the Tindongo and Shaiga areas, which have records of the disease. However, some of the owners of livestock did not vaccinate their animals -- mainly goats and sheep.The officer said on [22 Jun 2009], the news about the death of the 2 persons reached community health volunteers in the area, who alerted his office. He immediately deployed his staff to the affected community, and all the remaining smoked meat were seized and buried, while animal pens and the sites, where the dead animals were prepared, were also disinfected.The veterinarian said the incident took place in a large household, where 9 people fell sick after consuming the dead animals, leading to the death of the 2 persons, 10 goats, and one sheep.He disclosed that his officers could vaccinate 1200 animals, including goats, sheep, pigs, donkeys, and cattle. He said if people desisted from opening up dead animals, and presented their animals for vaccination, the veterinary team would be able to control the disease.March Kenya – Anthrax 3 Mar 2009 The Standard (Nairobi) [edited] [Promed] It is reported that schoolboy died and 3 family members were admitted to hospital after eating meat from a cow suspected to have died of anthrax. It is reported that one of the victims had been taken to Tanzania for treatment. Taveta medical officer of Health Henry Ng'eno said 3 other people who ate the meat are in hospital. According to this story, last week [week of 23 Feb 2009], famine-stricken residents in Miasenyi and Buguta scrambled for free game meat from 3 rogue buffalos shot dead by Kenya Wildlife Service personnel and 3 elephants killed by a speeding vehicle on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. FebruaryUganda - Anthrax death toll up 19 Feb 2009 AllAfrica, The New Vision (Uganda) report [edited] [Promed] According to this story, the number of people dead from anthrax in Bushenyi district has risen from 5 to 6, after another person died yesterday [18 Feb 2009]. The Ministry of Health spokesperson said a team of health officials from Mbarara and Kampala was in Bushenyi to carry out public sensitisation and education. So far, 6 people in the sub-county have died out of the 9 admitted at Rugazi Health Centre, Kaggwa said yesterday [18 Feb 2009]. The district director of health services said 2 people who had been admitted at the health centre, escaped from their sickbeds for fear of being arrested by UWA officials for eating game meat. It is reported that the district health department recently distributed drugs to over 100 people who had eaten the meat. However, the commissioner for livestock health and entomology in the Ministry of Agriculture, said he toured the area on [2 Jan 2009] and at Katunguru, he saw a waterbuck bleeding from the mouth. On inquiry, he was told that the waterbuck had been attacked by a lion. He added that Katunguru is largely a fishing community and had a small number of goats. He said a committee comprising of veterinary and medical personnel had been formed to establish the risk of the disease outbreak and its threat to livestock in the area. Related stories 17 Feb 2009 - Four dead after eating game meat The New Vision - Chris Ahimbisibwe [edited][iFSN] Four people are suspected to have died in Kisenyi fishing landing site, Katunguru sub-county in Bushenyi district after eating antelope meat. The district director of health services said the dead men chanced on the antelope that had collapsed in their compound. The acting commissioner for community health said on Monday that the ministry was yet to establish the cause of the deaths. January Zimbabwe - Anthrax 13 Jan 2009 SW Radio Africa/Physicians for Human Rights [edited] [Promed] The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported some 200 human cases of anthrax since November 2008 with 8 confirmed deaths. These cases were attributed to the ingestion of animals (cattle and goats) that had died of anthrax. Zimbabweans avoid eating animals that have died of disease, but these cases appear to [have] occurred in starving rural people scavenging carrion. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) was told that veterinary anthrax control programs in Zimbabwe, which had included regular monthly control programs, have been dramatically curtailed in the economic collapse. The surviving herds are now much more vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Kenya- Anthrax in humans and bovine ( Eastern) 9 Jan 2009 Saturday Nation [edited] [Promed] According to this story, the government [of Kenya] has banned the movement of livestock in Embu District [Eastern Province] following the death of a man from anthrax. According to district commissioner, the ban will remain in force indefinitely as the government monitors the spread of the disease. He warned that anyone found moving their animals from one area to another would be arrested and prosecuted. Speaking to the press in Embu Town, he said alsothere could be an outbreak of the deadly disease and urged residents to take the necessary precautions. The decision to restrict the movement of animals was reached after a crisis meeting between the DC and veterinary officials. The administrator said all the livestock in the area would be vaccinated against the disease to ensure that it did not spread further. He called on the residents to take their animals for vaccination when the exercise kicks off next week. It is reported that on Tuesday [6 Jan 2009], a man died a few days after slaughtering an infected cow at Njukiiri village in Manyata Division. The man, 28, fell sick a fortnight later and died on the way to Embu Provincial Hospital. He had joined another 9 villagers who were assisting a local farmer in slaughtering the sick cow. A meat inspector confirmed that the cow was suffering from the deadly disease and ordered it to be disposed of. Following the death, other residents who came into contact with the animal went to the hospital for checkups. Sources and Terms of Use
Kenya- Anthrax in humans and bovine ( Eastern) 9 Jan 2009 Saturday Nation [edited] [Promed] According to this story, the government [of Kenya] has banned the movement of livestock in Embu District [Eastern Province] following the death of a man from anthrax. According to district commissioner, the ban will remain in force indefinitely as the government monitors the spread of the disease. He warned that anyone found moving their animals from one area to another would be arrested and prosecuted. Speaking to the press in Embu Town, he said alsothere could be an outbreak of the deadly disease and urged residents to take the necessary precautions. The decision to restrict the movement of animals was reached after a crisis meeting between the DC and veterinary officials. The administrator said all the livestock in the area would be vaccinated against the disease to ensure that it did not spread further. He called on the residents to take their animals for vaccination when the exercise kicks off next week. It is reported that on Tuesday [6 Jan 2009], a man died a few days after slaughtering an infected cow at Njukiiri village in Manyata Division. The man, 28, fell sick a fortnight later and died on the way to Embu Provincial Hospital. He had joined another 9 villagers who were assisting a local farmer in slaughtering the sick cow. A meat inspector confirmed that the cow was suffering from the deadly disease and ordered it to be disposed of. Following the death, other residents who came into contact with the animal went to the hospital for checkups. Sources and Terms of Use
