Zambian authorities have issued a warning after an anthrax outbreak killed dozens of wild animals including hippos, elephants, and buffaloes in the Munyamadzi Game Management Area. Over 12 people were infected with anthrax following consumption of meat from dead wildlife; no human deaths have been reported so far. Officials are urging locals to avoid eating any meat from animals that die naturally or under unknown circumstances and to report such cases immediately. Anthrax is endemic in Zambia, but large-scale outbreaks like the one currently occurring remain rare.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
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Story summary
Zambian authorities have issued a warning against consuming meat from wildlife after dozens of animals, including 46 hippos, eight elephants, five buffaloes, and one crocodile, succumbed to an anthrax outbreak since July. The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit reported that 12 people had been infected with the disease after eating dead wildlife in the Munyamadzi River area. The agency urged residents not to eat meat from animals that die naturally or for unknown reasons, while also suspending hunting activities in the affected region until further investigation is completed.
Anthrax is endemic to Zambia but typically does not result in many human fatalities; however, a significant outbreak occurred in 2023 when the disease spread across nine out of ten provinces and caused four deaths. Another notable incident took place in 2011, resulting in more than 500 cases, with five people losing their lives after consuming infected hippo meat.
Written for “Anthrax Warning Zambia” on 2026-09-14,
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- Published
Authorities in Zambia have warned people not to eat meat from wildlife after dozens of wild animals, including hippos, elephants, buffalo and a crocodile died following an anthrax outbreak.
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dozens → publish → outbreak
A disaster management agency official said over the weekend that 12 people had been infected with the disease after consuming dead wildlife in the Munyamadzi River area.
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people → say → area
The official urged the public not to consume meat from animals that die naturally or from unknown causes, while urging the public to report any such cases.
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that → urge → cases
Authorities have also called for hunting in the affected area to be suspended until the extent of the disease and associated risks are established.
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extent → call → disease
Officials have not yet ascertained the full geographical extent of the latest outbreak, with surveillance and laboratory investigations ongoing.
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investigations → ascertain → outbreak
In 2023, the country experienced what was described as an "unprecedented outbreak", which killed four people and spread to nine out of 10 provinces.
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which → experience → provinces
Another large-scale outbreak was reported in 2011, with more than 500 cases, when five people died after consuming meat from infected hippos.
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people → report → hippos
In the latest outbreak in the Munyamadzi Game Management Area, in Muchinga province, Zambia's Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit said 46 hippos, eight elephants, five buffaloes and one crocodile had died since July.
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hippos → say → July
"The sad story about the deaths of this wildlife is that the carcasses ended up being eaten by the local people - that's what they depend on for their food," said the unit's national coordinator Norman Chipakupaku.
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coordinator → end → food
No human deaths have been reported, and the 12 infected people are currently receiving treatment.
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people → report → treatment
Anthrax is caused by a bacteria called Bacillus anthracis, which largely survives as spores that hide away in soil for years before entering an animal through inhalation or a cut or wound.
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that → cause → inhalation
It mainly affects grazing animals and can lead to sudden death.
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It → affect → death
It can be transmitted from animals to humans through contact with contaminated animal products.
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It → transmit → products
Zambians have been urged not to consume, sell, distribute or handle meat from animals that have died suddenly or from suspected anthrax.
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that → urge → anthrax
The public has also been advised against handling wild animals.
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public → advise → animals
