Zimbabwe: 2020 - 2024 Anthrax

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2020/0...its-marondera/


Anthrax outbreak hits Marondera
January 12, 2020 in Local, News
BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA

a suspected anthrax outbreak has hit the Chimbwanda area in Marondera West killing several cattle, while close to 10 people are currently under treatment after consuming meat from the carcasses.

When The Standard visited the area last week, three beasts from the Mushore family were being burnt before they were buried in a bid to avert the spread of the disease.

At the local Chimbwanda Clinic suspected anthrax patients who had developed sores were receiving treatment.

Pauline Mushore (72) of Farm 23, narrated how the cattle died and appealed for government assistance to avoid more cattle deaths.

“There is a crisis here and we have lost cattle like this within a short period of time. The cattle would appear as sleeping then get dizzy before dying. We are appealing to the relevant authorities to assist us and take the matter as an emergency,” she said.

Those who ate the meat from the dead animals fell sick at least two days later...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.thezimbabwedaily.com/new...37188720703125


Anthrax cases on the rise in Bikita
Jan 15, 2020
Walter Mswazie in Masvingo

The number of cattle that have succumbed from Anthrax attack in Bikita in Masvingo province has risen to 40 from 24 last week while 33 people have also been diagnosed with the deadly disease.

Bikita District Development Coordinator Mr Benard Hadzirambwi confirmed the new developments and said government has since availed 5000 vaccines...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news...yo-177214.html

Anthrax outbreak in Masvingo province
by Staff Reporter
3 hrs ago

Masvingo has been hit by an anthrax outbreak with official figures indicating that more than 40 cattle have succumbed to the disease while at least 60 people have been affected.

Masvingo department of veterinary services provincial officer Dr Ernest Dzimwasha confirmed the anthrax outbreak saying 46 cattle have been lost while 37 people in Bikita and 27 from Gutu have been diagnosed with the disease after consuming infected beef...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.herald.co.zw/anthrax-87-...77-cattle-die/

Anthrax: 87 hospitalised, 177 cattle die
18 Jan, 2020 - 00:01
Elita chikwati Senior Reporter

EIGHTY-SEVEN people have been hospitalised after eating meat from cattle affected by anthrax.
The disease has so far claimed about 177 beasts...

...In Makonde, there was an unconfirmed report of one person dying, while 64 were hospitalised, while in Masvingo Province’s Bikita District, 28 people were reportedly diagnosed with the disease at different clinics...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.newzimbabwe.com/anthrax-...n-gutu-bikita/

Anthrax Outbreak: 64 Hospitalised, 47 Cattle Dead in Gutu, Bikita
19th January 2020 Zimbabwe
By Tonderai Saharo

Masvingo: At least 64 people have been hospitalised in Bikita and Gutu after eating anthrax contaminated meat with 47 cattle dying from the outbreak while government has also moved in to vaccinate 22 000 herd of cattle.

The outbreak continues to cause untold suffering among communities in the affected two neighbouring districts with cattle dying in large numbers while hungry villagers have been hospitalised after eating contaminated meat.

However, Masvingo provincial veterinary officer Dr Ernest Dzimwasha told Newzimbabwe.com his department was working round the clock to contain the outbreak in Gutu and Bikita district...

[Pathfinder]

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 5: 23 to 29 January 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 29 January 2023
...
All events currently being monitored by WHO AFRO
...
Zimbabwe Anthrax Ungraded

Date notified to WCO 20-Jan-20
Start of reporting period 01-Jan-22
End of reporting period 24-Jan-23

Total cases 426
Cases Confirmed 0
Deaths 0
CFR 0

The anthrax outbreak is ongoing in Zimbabwe. In January 2023, 32 new cases have been reported from Midland province (30) and Masvingo province (2). As of 24 January 2023, the cumulative figures for anthrax are 426 cases and 0 deaths.
...

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/365810/OEW05-232901.pdf

[Pathfinder]

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 46: 13- 19 November 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 19 November 2023

...
All events currently being monitored by WHO AFRO
...
Zimbabwe

Anthrax

Grade Ungraded
Date notified to WCO 11/13/2023
Start of reporting period 1/1/2023
End of reporting period 11/14/2023

Total cases 412
Cases Confirmed
Deaths 0
CFR 0.0%

As of 14 November 2023, there have been a total of 285 cases from Gokwe North and 127 cases from Gokwe South, in Midlands province of Zimbabwe. The outbreak began in week 1 of 2023 and is still ongoing.

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/south-africa/publication/outbreaks-and-emergencies-bulletin-week-46-13-19-november-2023-0

[Pathfinder]

January 4, 2024

Anthrax claims 36 cattle, affects 518 people

Thirty-six cattle have died this season due to anthrax in Chipinge, Hurungwe, and Gokwe South and North, Department of Veterinary Services acting chief director Dr Pious Makaya said yesterday.

He added that cases involving 518 people who contracted anthrax were also reported but no reports of deaths have been received.
...
“There is an outbreak of anthrax in Zambia which originated from the hippos in Kariba and Zambezi basin and the hippos are not only for Zambia as we share wildlife and they are likely to come into Zimbabwe so it’s actually our problem,” said Dr Makaya.
...
We have to vaccinate along the interface where livestock, wildlife and humans meet because the anthrax will creep in through the interface as carnivores and scavengers, like lions and hyenas, can eat infected carcases of infected hippos and transmit the disease...

https://www.herald.co.zw/anthrax-claims-36-cattle-affects-518-people/

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Anthrax outbreak hits Zimbabwe, Zambia; disease traced to hippos

January 7, 2024 Staff Reporter Agriculture & Enviroment, Farming & Environment 0
...
The latest outbreak in both Zimbabwe and Zambia has been traced to hippopotamuses from Kariba and the Zambezi basin.

Acting chief director of veterinary services, Pius Makaya confirmed the country is currently faced with the zoonotic disease, which affects both humans and animals.

“Zimbabwe is currently faced with the problem of anthrax. Animals are infected when they ingest anthrax spores when grazing while humans are affected if they consume animals, especially cattle, infected with anthrax.

“We have managed to map 31 anthrax hotspot districts out of the 60 districts in the country. These are the districts we are targeting for control of anthrax,” said Makaya.

He said local vet officials were working with their Zambian counterparts to contain the spread of the deadly disease.
...
Makaya assured the nation that the outbreak is under control as Zimbabwe has 426 000 doses of anthrax vaccines to be used to jab animals in affected areas such as Chipinge, Hurungwe, Gokwe North and South where a total of 36 cattle have died.

A total of 518 human cases of anthrax have been recorded, but fortunately, no deaths have been reported so far.
...

https://www.thezimbabwemail.com/farming-environment/agriculture-enviroment/anthrax-outbreak-hits-zimbabwe-zambia-disease-traced-to-hippos/

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Midlands Province
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midlands_Province#

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January 29, 2024

Veterinary Department warns against eating diseased meat

Michael Magoronga

...
This comes as cases of humans contracting anthrax are on the increase in the Midlands Province amid fears that they are eating meat from cattle that would have died from the disease.

Midlands Provincial Veterinary Officer, Dr Martin Sibanda, said while the province seems to be on top of the situation in controlling anthrax among cattle, more cases were recorded among humans.

“We vaccinated more than 40 000 cattle against anthrax after anthrax was recorded in some areas, especially the Gokwe area and it seemed we were on top of the situation.

“Currently, anthrax is quiet on cattle but we are only getting reports of humans who would have contracted the disease after eating the meat or biltong they make from the meat,” said Dr Sibanda.

...https://www.chronicle.co.zw/veterina...diseased-meat/