87 People Diagnosed With Anthrax

An anthrax outbreak has hit the country leaving 87 people hospitalised and 177 cattle dead, The Herald reports. The acting director for the Division of Veterinary Field Services Dr Wilmot Chikurunhe said anthrax is affecting traditional outbreak areas and not all districts.

According to the publication:

During this season, anthrax outbreaks have been recorded in Gokwe, Nkayi, Gutu, Bikita, Marondera, Mazowe, Chegutu, Makonde and Sanyati.

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

Dr Chikurunhe urged beast owners to vaccinate their cattle against anthrax once a year because anthrax is easy to treat if detected early.

More: The Herald