A massive outbreak of anthrax in the wildlife of the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe between August and November 2004 resulted in the death of almost all the reserve's estimated 500 kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros). Other species badly affected were nyala (Tragelaphus angasi), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) and roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus), which suffered losses of approximately 68 per cent, 48 per cent, 44 per cent and 42 per cent of their populations, respectively. Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) were also badly affected and although their population suffered only a 6 per cent loss, the numbers of deaths ranked second highest after kudu. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first record of anthrax in wildlife in Zimbabwe.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.160.4.113 | DOI Listing |
PLoS One
December 2024
Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
Environmental and climatic factors, as well as host demographics and behaviour, significantly influence the exposure of herbivorous mammalian hosts to pathogens such as Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Until the early 1990s in Kruger National Park (KNP), kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) was the host species most affected by anthrax, with outbreaks occurring predominantly in the dry season, particularly during drought cycles. However, the most affected host species has shifted to impala (Aepyceros melampus), with more frequent anthrax outbreaks during the wet season.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpidemiol Infect
December 2024
Department of Wildlife, Animal Resources Management, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Anthrax is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by We qualitatively examined facilitators and barriers to responding to a potential anthrax outbreak using the capability, opportunity, motivation behaviour model (COM-B model) in the high-risk rural district of Namisindwa, in Eastern Uganda. We chose the COM-B model because it provides a systematic approach for selecting evidence-based techniques and approaches for promoting the behavioural prompt response to anthrax outbreaks. Unpacking these facilitators and barriers enables the leaders and community members to understand existing resources and gaps so that they can leverage them for future anthrax outbreaks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Negl Trop Dis
November 2024
Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
The diagnosis of anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis can be complicated by detection of closely related species. Conventional diagnosis of anthrax involves microscopy, culture identification of bacterial colonies and molecular detection. Genetic markers used are often virulence gene targets such as B.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Vet Res
October 2024
Makerere University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, P.O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Background: Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis that poses a significant threat to both human health and livestock. Effective preparedness and response to anthrax outbreak at the district level is essential to mitigate the devastating impact of the disease to humans and animals. The current diseaae surveillance in animals and humans uses two different infrastructure systems with online platform supported by established diagnostic facilities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPathogens
September 2024
Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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