(Dead Animal. Photo by NewZimbabwe.com)

Authorities in Zambia have warned residents not to eat meat from wild animals after dozens died from an anthrax outbreak.

Over the weekend, officials reported that 12 people had caught the disease after eating dead wildlife in the Munyamadzi River area.

The public has been urged to avoid consuming meat from animals that die naturally or from unknown causes and to report any cases they encounter.

Hunting has been temporarily banned in the affected area until officials understand the full extent of the disease and the risks it poses.

Investigations are still ongoing to determine how far the outbreak has spread geographically.

Anthrax is common in Zambia, but human deaths from it are rare.

In 2023, the country experienced what was called an “unprecedented outbreak” that killed four people and spread across nine of the country’s ten provinces.

A major outbreak in 2011 saw more than 500 cases, with five deaths linked to infected hippo meat.

In the current outbreak in Munyamadzi Game Management Area in Muchinga province, authorities have counted 46 dead hippos, eight elephants, five buffaloes and one crocodile since July.

Local people have been eating the carcasses, which is their main food source. So far no deaths have been reported, and the 12 infected people are being treated.

Anthrax spreads through bacteria that live as spores in soil for years before infecting animals through inhalation or wounds.

It mainly affects grazing animals and can cause sudden death.

It passes to humans through contact with infected animal products.

Zambians have been advised against handling, consuming, selling or distributing meat from animals that die suddenly or are suspected of having anthrax, and to avoid handling wild animals altogether.