Zambia battles anthrax outbreak after wildlife deaths spike

Health officials in Zambia are working to contain an anthrax epidemic that has claimed numerous wild animals and prompted authorities to caution the public against consuming potentially contaminated meat. The bacterial disease, caused by Bacillus anthracis, has proven deadly to livestock and wildlife populations in affected regions.

At least 12 people have been hospitalized and are receiving treatment after consuming meat from infected animal carcasses, according to health ministry reports. The cases underscore the serious public health risks posed by the outbreak and the dangers of consuming wildlife that may carry the pathogen.

Zambian officials have launched an awareness campaign urging residents to avoid hunting, collecting, or consuming dead animals found in the wild. The warnings are particularly critical in rural communities where wildlife consumption remains common and access to alternative protein sources may be limited.

Anthrax, which spreads through contact with infected animals or contaminated meat, can be fatal if untreated but responds well to antibiotics when detected early. Authorities have not yet disclosed the full scale of animal deaths or provided epidemiological details about the geographic extent of the outbreak across the country.