Anthrax Outbreak in Chama District

There has been an outbreak of Anthrax in Chama District of Muchinga Province. So far, seven people are being treated for the disease with the first case reported last week on Thursday, 22nd September, 2016. I am happy to inform the nation that there has been no deaths from this outbreak.

The source of this disease is an Anthrax outbreak in the Hippo population in the Luangwa River. I wish to assure the nation, particularly the people of Chama District, that there is no need for alarm because the Ministry of Health, working in conjunction with other government agencies and departments, including the Department for National Parks and Wildlife have mounted a vigorous response to contain the outbreak.

Anthrax is a serious disease that affects animals and can be transmitted to humans when people touch, cut, cook and eat meat from infected animals. The source of the current outbreak in Chama, is due to people in the area coming into contact with Hippos that have died of Anthrax.

Anthrax is caused by a bacterium, called Bacillus Anthracis, which can last for extremely long periods in the environment. When animals or humans come into contact with these bacteria, they can become infected. There are three (3) forms of Anthrax in humans:

1. Cutaneous or the “Skin” form of Anthrax. This appears as sores or blisters on the skin in the parts of the body that have come into contact with the bacteria.
2. Inhalation or Pulmonary Anthrax. In this form, the person breathes in the Anthrax Bacteria and the lungs get affected. The person presents with flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, mild fever, general body aches and pains, and a cough which may later lead to shortness of breath and coughing up of blood. If not treated early, the person may die.
3. Gastro-intestinal Anthrax. In this form, the Anthrax Bacteria are swallowed and the patient may develop fever and chills, sore throat, stomach pains, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea. The person could possibly die from this form if not treated in time.

In the current Anthrax outbreak in Chama, only the cutaneous or “skin form” of Anthrax has been reported so far. All the people infected have handled either the carcasses of the Hippos that have died of anthrax, or prepared and/or ate meat from such carcasses.

Let me take this opportunity to strongly discourage people from eating or handling meat of ANY animal that has died from unknown causes. Please DO NOT in any way, handle or eat meat from animals that have died from an unknown cause or from any infections as this could lead to severe illness or even death.

For those who may have handled, or indeed eaten meat from a Hippo or any animal that may have died from unknown cause, I encourage you to visit your nearest health center. The health care staff in our health centers have both the capacity and medication to treat you.

Let me take this opportunity to also inform the nation that apart from the Anthrax Outbreak in Chama District, there are also outbreaks of Cholera and Typhoid diseases in Kapiri-Mposhi District, of Central Province and Mbala District of Northern Province respectively.

Fifteen cases of cholera have been recorded in Kapiri-Mposhi District with the first case reported on the 11th of September 2016. Unfortunately, one person died from this outbreak whilst one other person is still undergoing treatment. The 13 others are well and have since been discharged. All the cases, were treated at Waya health Centre in Kapiri-Mposhi District. Most of the cases came from the Lukanga Swamps.

Meanwhile, a total 125 cases of Typhoid have been recorded in Mbala District of Northern Province with the first case, presented to Kasama General Hospital, on the 28th of July 2016. So far, a total of 124 patients have been treated and discharged and there have been no new cases in the last nine days. Unfortunately, there was also a death reported in this outbreak.

Both the Typhoid outbreak in Mbala District, and the Cholera outbreak in Kapiri-Mposhi District have been contained and are under control. I however, wish to strongly encourage members of the public in the affected areas to seriously maintain personal hygiene by keeping their surroundings clean. Water for drinking, cooking and for other household use must thoroughly be boiled or chlorinated. Washing of hands with clean water and soap before eating or after using the toilet MUST be strictly adhered to and taken by the community as a norm.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that the Ministry of Health has highly trained personnel with the capacity to respond to any outbreaks. I therefore urge all Zambians to be health conscious and to seek early treatment when feeling unwell. Do not engage in anything that puts your health at risk. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.