Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko
Fact Check Editor
Zimbabwe has reported six new anthrax cases in the Gokwe North and South districts prompting a public health alert to help reduce exposure to the potentially deadly bacteria.
No deaths have been reported so far even though the cumulative figure has soared to 153 this year, according to a Ministry of Health and Child Care Weekly Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Report.
Authorities say the people often contract this deadly bacteria after eating raw meat or undercooked beef.
What is anthrax?
Public health experts describe anthrax as a rare but serious disease caused by bacteria often transmitted through contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated meat. It is not spread person-to-person. It mainly affects livestock — cows, sheep and goats. It can spread to humans through contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. The illness takes different forms depending on how the bacteria enters the body.
What are the main causes of human anthrax infections?
Humans can be exposed to anthrax if they consume meat from infected animals, skin carcasses without protection and handle meat from animals that die from unknown causes. Most of the cases reported in Zimbabwe involve the consumption of uninspected meat and poor veterinary controls.
How is anthrax transmitted?
In an online publication, Cimas Health Group’s doctor, Bekezela Ndhlovu, says: “The way anthrax enters the body determines how it makes you sick. When anthrax spores enter through a cut or scrape on the skin, they cause a raised, itchy sore that develops into a black-centred ulcer. If inhaled, the spores can lead to severe respiratory illness, beginning with flu-like symptoms and quickly progressing to breathing problems and shock.”
What are the symptoms of anthrax?
Public health experts say human anthrax infection symptoms vary depending on the type of infection, which can include cutaneous (skin), inhalation, gastrointestinal, and injection. Skin anthrax symptoms start as an itchy bump that turns into a painless, black-centred ulcer, sometimes with fever and headache. Inhalation anthrax initially mimics the flu (fever, cough, muscle aches) before rapidly progressing to severe breathing problems and shock. Gastrointestinal anthrax can cause nausea, vomiting (sometimes bloody), abdominal pain, and severe diarrhoea. Injection anthrax is similar to skin anthrax but can also involve deep abscesses and spreads faster.
“Eating contaminated meat can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Though potentially deadly, anthrax can be treated effectively with antibiotics if detected early, and vaccines are available for people at higher risk,” said Dr Ndhlovu in a Cimas Health report.
“Cutaneous (skin) anthrax is the most common form of anthrax. It begins as a small, itchy bump that resembles an insect bite and soon develops into a painless sore with a black centre. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches, and vomiting. With prompt treatment, recovery is likely.
“Gastrointestinal anthrax occurs after eating contaminated meat from infected animals. It usually starts with nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and abdominal pain, followed by severe diarrhoea. In advanced cases, patients may vomit blood and experience intense abdominal pain.”
On inhalation anthrax, Dr Ndhlovu says: “Inhalation (pulmonary) anthrax is the most dangerous form of the disease. It begins with mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and fatigue. As it progresses, it can cause severe breathing difficulties, chest pain, and shock. Without early treatment, this form is often fatal.”
Historical background of major outbreaks in Zimbabwe
Epidemiological records indicate that the first diagnosis of anthrax was made 1898 in Zimbabwe. The largest recorded outbreak occurred between 1978 and 1980 during the liberation struggle, with over 10 000 human cases and 182 deaths recorded. At the height of the armed struggle (1978–1980), the Rhodesian government used anthrax as a biological weapon, leading to one of the largest human anthrax epidemics in history. The biological warfare targeted guerrillas, rural communities and livestock. It sought to starve guerillas and limit guerilla infiltration into Rhodesia. Pan African historians argue strongly that Rhodesia weaponised anthrax as the settler regime faced increasing attacks from guerillas. They reject claims that the massive outbreak was worsened by wartime conditions and a breakdown of services. In the post independence period, sporadic outbreaks continued to be reported in various parts of the country every year. For example, there were anthrax outbreaks in the Makoni District in 2013-2014 and Tengwe in 2021-2022.
Zimbabwe’s response mechanisms
The Government employs a multi-pronged approach to manage and respond to anthrax outbreaks, focusing on surveillance, community education, livestock vaccination, and proper disposal of infected carcasses. Anthrax is a notifiable disease in Zimbabwe, meaning even a single human case warrants prompt action.
