{
  "id": 7320046,
  "title": "Zambians warned not to eat dead wildlife after anthrax kills dozens of animals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/zambians-warned-not-to-eat-dead-wildlife-after-anthrax-kills-dozens-7320046",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T12:59:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/zambians-warned-not-to-eat-dead-wildlife-after-anthrax-kills-dozens-of-animals/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Authorities in Zambia have issued a warning to the public not to consume meat from wildlife following an outbreak of anthrax that has claimed the lives of numerous animals, including hippos, elephants, buffalo, and a crocodile. Over the weekend, it was reported that 12 people had contracted the disease after consuming dead wildlife in the Munyamadzi River area. The disaster management agency emphasized that the public should refrain from consuming meat from animals that die naturally or from unknown causes, and urged individuals to report any such occurrences. Hunting in the affected region has been suspended pending further investigation into the extent of the disease and associated risks. While anthrax is endemic to Zambia, human fatalities are rare. In 2023, an \"unprecedented outbreak\" occurred, resulting in the deaths of four people and spreading to nine provinces. Another significant outbreak took place in 2011, with over 500 cases and five fatalities, primarily due to individuals consuming meat from infected hippos. In the current outbreak, which has been ongoing since July, 46 hippos, eight elephants, five buffalo, and one crocodile have succumbed to the disease in the Munyamadzi Game Management Area of Muchinga province. According to the unit's national coordinator, Norman Chipakupaku, the unfortunate reality is that the carcasses were consumed by locals, who rely on wildlife as their primary food source. To date, there have been no reported human deaths, and the 12 infected individuals are receiving medical treatment. Anthrax is caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacteria, which primarily affects grazing animals and can lead to sudden death. The bacteria, which primarily survives as spores in the soil, can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated animal products. Zambians have been instructed not to consume, sell, distribute, or handle meat from animals that have died suddenly or are suspected of having anthrax. The public has also been advised against handling wild animals.",
  "summary": "Authorities in Zambia have warned people not to eat meat from wildlife after dozens of wild animals, including hippos, elephants, buffalo and a crocodile died following an anthrax outbreak.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Science",
        "title": "Zambians warned not to eat dead wildlife after anthrax kills dozens of animals",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/zambians-warned-not-to-eat-dead-wildlife-after-anthrax-kills-dozens",
        "published": "2026-09-14T11:35:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}