Anthrax strikes Zimbabwe wildlife

Date: 27 September 2004

Source: Sunday Times (SA)

Author: Anon

HARARE - An anthrax outbreak has killed 1,500 animals, mostly kudus, in two conservation areas next to one of Zimbabwe's largest game parks, the director of veterinary services said Monday.

"It's the first time for Zimbabwe to have had a major anthrax outbreak in wildlife areas," Stuart Hargreaves, the director of livestock and veterinary services told AFP.

The outbreak was detected three weeks ago in Malalangwe and Save conservation areas situated near the southeastern Gonarezhou National Park.

"In both these areas about 1,500 animals have died," said Hargreaves.

"About 80% of the animals that have died are kudus and the others are buffaloes and antelopes," he said.

Gonarezhou Park is part of the 95,000-square-kilometre Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park which brings together part of the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.

Hargreaves said government and other wildlife agencies had moved in fast to control the outbreak by vaccinating at least 700 endangered rhinos and buffaloes, and disposing of the dead animals.

Of the 1,500 animals that were killed, 1,400 carcasses have been incinerated to prevent lions, hyenas and vultures from eating the dead animals.

"This is the reason the disease is diminishing," he said.

He expressed concern that the disease might spread to Gonarezhou.

"It could well spread to Gonarezhou because it is right next door, (but) we don't want the disease to spread and we are trying our best to control it," he said.

He suspects the disease could have entered wildlife through cattle and vultures.

An anthrax outbreak forced the closure of most of Botswana's Chobe National Park after close to 200 buffaloes, elephants and a hippo died.

The outbreak has also spread to Namibia.

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by spore-forming bacteria which can survive in the ground for a long time.

Symptoms include skin infections that can develop into ulcers or swelling of lymph glands, breathing problems, vomiting and fever.