Anthrax kills 50 wild animals in Gonarezhou

Precious Manomano, Herald Reporter

AN outbreak of anthrax in the Gonarezhou National Park on the southeast border has killed at least 50 wild animals, the Department of Veterinary Services has confirmed.

At least  80 000 cattle around the park have been vaccinated against the deadly disease.

Chief director in the Department of Veterinary Services, Dr Pious Makaya, said the anthrax outbreak in Gonarezhou National Park was now under control, adding that no livestock deaths arising from the outbreak have so far occurred.

“Today I would like to give an official notification on the outbreak of anthrax in Gonarezhou National Park. On August 20 2024, the directorate of veterinary services received reports from ZimParks that wildlife was dying in Gonarezhou National Park; 50 wild animals died.

“Laboratory tests were conducted and confirmed that the animals were dying of anthrax,” Dr Makaya said.

The Government has implemented a cocktail of robust measures to make sure that the disease does not spread to livestock. Surveillance on the 33 dip tanks around Gonarezhou National Park confirmed that no livestock deaths were reported at the moment.

An estimated 80 000 cattle are currently being vaccinated across the 33 dip tanks around the national park.

Dr Makaya said the department was confident that the disease would be confined to the national park.

Masvingo Provincial Veterinary Officer Dr Crema Manyetu said so far 30 000 doses of anthrax vaccine had been mobilised and vaccination was going on at the 33 dip tanks along the game fence. Annual vaccinations along the game park fences need to be implemented every year.

The Department of Veterinary Services said there are adequate vaccines to protect livestock against the current outbreak.

The Livestock Growth Plan emphasises the reduction of debilitating diseases in a bid to bolster the livestock industry.

The Government of Zimbabwe recognises the consequences of anthrax, which is a notifiable disease in the country under the Animal Health Act.

Anthrax is a soil-borne disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It is common in wild and domestic herbivores for example cattle, sheep, goats, camels, hippos and antelopes which pick up the bacterial spores from the ground while grazing.

The disease is common when grazing pastures are scarce, and animals graze too close to the ground.

It can also be transmitted to humans exposed to infected animals or contaminated animal products through handling, ingestion and inhalation during the preparation of meat, especially in a closed environment. The public is warned against eating meat from animals that die on their own. Animals that die of anthrax, particularly, should be excluded from the food chain, and disposed of by deep burial or burning, under the supervision of  Veterinary Services officers.

Government has urged All anthrax cases must be notified to the Veterinary Services.

Signs of anthrax include sudden death of livestock, rapid decomposition of the bloated carcasses and tarry blood coming out of all-natural openings. Blood from a contaminated carcass is brownish and does not clot.