Anthrax Outbreak Kills 50 Hippos in Virunga National Park

The bacterial disease, caused by Bacillus anthracis, raises public health concerns and challenges containment efforts in Africa's oldest nature reserve.

Approximately 50 hippos were found dead in a river south of Lake Edward, with anthrax identified as the cause of death.
The outbreak is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacterium that can persist in soil for decades and poses risks to humans and domestic animals.
Authorities face logistical hurdles in recovering and burying the carcasses, which are crucial to limiting the spread of the disease.
Local officials have advised residents to avoid wildlife, bushmeat, and unboiled water to reduce potential transmission risks.
Virunga National Park, home to a vulnerable hippo population, has been heavily impacted by regional conflict and poaching, compounding conservation challenges.