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In the DRC, a silent epidemic of anthrax has reportedly broken out
January 2, 2024
In the DRC, photos of an unknown disease have been circulating on social networks for several days. These are people who have a skin disease mainly on the arms or feet which manifests itself as ringworm, mycosis or scales. “It would be cutaneous anthrax,” explains a veterinary doctor who requested anonymity .
In December 2023, the World Health Organization warned that 5 countries in southern Africa are experiencing an anthrax epidemic with more than 1,100 suspected cases and around twenty deaths reported since the start of the year. 2023.
These are Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Some of these countries, like Zambia, have been experiencing this epidemic for more than 10 years.
Please be aware that “ anthrax is a disease that is often fatal in animals and transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or their products. In humans, the infection is usually acquired through the skin. Pulmonary infections are less common; meningeal and gastrointestinal infections are rare ,” notes the MSD manual
The people present in the photos circulating on social networks are presented as butchers and farmers from the rural commune of Kasindi, on the border between the DRC and Uganda which serves as a transit for everything that is imported.
Since the Kivu region is not self-sufficient in beef, a large part of the meat consumed in Kivu is imported from these countries where fever is already reported. It is obvious that this is cutaneous anthrax,” explains our source, veterinary doctor, epidemiology researcher.
Anthrax is a bacterial disease that commonly affects domestic and wild herbivores. Humans contract the disease through contact with infected animal carcasses or exposure to contaminated animal products, explains the World Health Organization.
This disease is caused by Bacillus anthracis , a gram-positive bacillus that is an encapsulated, facultative anaerobic microorganism that produces toxins.
“ It can remain dormant in the ground, even for a period of a hundred years. Then when he comes to the surface, he is inhaled by a beast. And in the region, we only see it after the death of the animal. In the present cases, it can be assumed that those who contract it do so after an injury caused by an animal carcass. Because if it was after eating meat, there would be many suspicious cases. », Explains the veterinary doctor.
During the last month of 2023, an illness like this was reported among some butchers and their dependents or butcher's assistants called "tshaheurs" at the public slaughterhouse in Butembo.
Contacted, Doctor Kawa, urban inspector of agriculture, fishing and livestock in the city of Butembo had reserved speaking to the press and promised to return to the press after the results carried out in the laboratory and by the veterinary services and by the Provincial Division of Health, Butembo branch.
In this case, WHO, through Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa suggests:
“ To end these outbreaks, we must break the cycle of infection, starting with preventing disease in animals. We support countries' efforts to combat epidemics by providing our expertise and strengthening collaboration with partner agencies as part of a common approach aimed at preserving human and animal health .*
We must therefore quickly organize the response and above all equip all those who work with an adequate combination and modernize our slaughterhouses and waste management, suggests our source. Because biosecurity in slaughterhouses must be increased.
Which calls into question the state of slaughterhouses and animal treatment in Kivu.
This is why some organizations advocate for health to be treated as a whole from a “One Health” perspective because humans, animals and the earth are interdependent.
More and more, with epidemics we are refocusing it. However, from the first alerts, measures should be taken at the border, laments the epidemiology researcher.
Hervé Mukulu
---------------------------
The WHO report mentioned in the article:
In the DRC, a silent epidemic of anthrax has reportedly broken out
January 2, 2024
In the DRC, photos of an unknown disease have been circulating on social networks for several days. These are people who have a skin disease mainly on the arms or feet which manifests itself as ringworm, mycosis or scales. “It would be cutaneous anthrax,” explains a veterinary doctor who requested anonymity .
In December 2023, the World Health Organization warned that 5 countries in southern Africa are experiencing an anthrax epidemic with more than 1,100 suspected cases and around twenty deaths reported since the start of the year. 2023.
These are Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Some of these countries, like Zambia, have been experiencing this epidemic for more than 10 years.
Please be aware that “ anthrax is a disease that is often fatal in animals and transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or their products. In humans, the infection is usually acquired through the skin. Pulmonary infections are less common; meningeal and gastrointestinal infections are rare ,” notes the MSD manual
The people present in the photos circulating on social networks are presented as butchers and farmers from the rural commune of Kasindi, on the border between the DRC and Uganda which serves as a transit for everything that is imported.
Since the Kivu region is not self-sufficient in beef, a large part of the meat consumed in Kivu is imported from these countries where fever is already reported. It is obvious that this is cutaneous anthrax,” explains our source, veterinary doctor, epidemiology researcher.
Anthrax is a bacterial disease that commonly affects domestic and wild herbivores. Humans contract the disease through contact with infected animal carcasses or exposure to contaminated animal products, explains the World Health Organization.
This disease is caused by Bacillus anthracis , a gram-positive bacillus that is an encapsulated, facultative anaerobic microorganism that produces toxins.
“ It can remain dormant in the ground, even for a period of a hundred years. Then when he comes to the surface, he is inhaled by a beast. And in the region, we only see it after the death of the animal. In the present cases, it can be assumed that those who contract it do so after an injury caused by an animal carcass. Because if it was after eating meat, there would be many suspicious cases. », Explains the veterinary doctor.
During the last month of 2023, an illness like this was reported among some butchers and their dependents or butcher's assistants called "tshaheurs" at the public slaughterhouse in Butembo.
Contacted, Doctor Kawa, urban inspector of agriculture, fishing and livestock in the city of Butembo had reserved speaking to the press and promised to return to the press after the results carried out in the laboratory and by the veterinary services and by the Provincial Division of Health, Butembo branch.
In this case, WHO, through Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa suggests:
“ To end these outbreaks, we must break the cycle of infection, starting with preventing disease in animals. We support countries' efforts to combat epidemics by providing our expertise and strengthening collaboration with partner agencies as part of a common approach aimed at preserving human and animal health .*
We must therefore quickly organize the response and above all equip all those who work with an adequate combination and modernize our slaughterhouses and waste management, suggests our source. Because biosecurity in slaughterhouses must be increased.
Which calls into question the state of slaughterhouses and animal treatment in Kivu.
This is why some organizations advocate for health to be treated as a whole from a “One Health” perspective because humans, animals and the earth are interdependent.
More and more, with epidemics we are refocusing it. However, from the first alerts, measures should be taken at the border, laments the epidemiology researcher.
Hervé Mukulu
---------------------------
The WHO report mentioned in the article:
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