What happened
Since July anthrax has killed 60 wild animals including 46 hippos, 8 elephants, 5 buffalo and 1 crocodile in Munyamadzi Game Management Area, Muchinga province, Zambia.
Zambia has confirmed an anthrax outbreak in Munyamadzi where 60 wild animals died since July.
Twelve people were infected after eating meat from dead wildlife and are under treatment.
Authorities warned the public not to eat or handle such meat and suspended hunting.
Initial tests were negative before anthrax was confirmed in recent days.
All patients are under treatment with no deaths reported in this outbreak.
Timeline
How the outbreak unfolded after initial negative tests.
- July 2025 - Wildlife deaths begin in Munyamadzi.
- Early hippo tests negative; river contamination probed.
- Mid-Nov 2025 - Anthrax confirmed; 60 wildlife dead, 12 human cases.
Why it matters for me
Twelve people who ate meat from dead wildlife are infected and under treatment, hunting is suspended and checkpoints block meat smuggling.
Safety
General Public
Eating or handling meat from dead wildlife carries direct anthrax infection risk.
Daily Life
General Public
Hunting suspended and meat movement blocked in the affected area.
What to remember
Do not eat or handle meat from animals that died suddenly - anthrax spores can infect humans.
Anthrax kills 60 wildlife in Zambia, 12 infected after eating carcasses.
Verified sources (4)
Anthrax outbreak: Zambians warned not to eat dead wildlife
↗Anthrax outbreak in Zambia kills 46 hippos 8 elephants 5 buffalo
↗Zambia anthrax outbreak kills 60 wild animals infects 12 people
↗Multi-Species Anthrax Outbreak Following Hippopotamus Mortality in Southern Zambia
↗Claims and linked sources
5 claimsZambia DMMU said 46 hippos, eight elephants, five buffaloes and one crocodile have died in Munyamadzi Game Management Area, Muchinga province, since July.
Twelve people have been infected after consuming meat from dead wildlife in Munyamadzi River area; no human deaths reported and all 12 receiving treatment.
DMMU coordinator Norman Chipakupaku warned the biggest risk is infected meat being smuggled out; multidisciplinary team deployed, checkpoints and roadblocks set up.
Chipakupaku said carcasses ended up being eaten by local people because that is what they depend on for food.
Authorities suspended hunting in the affected area and urged public not to consume, sell, distribute or handle meat from animals that died suddenly or from suspected anthrax.
Community signals
Signal-only · not reporting“The sad story about the deaths of this wildlife is that the carcasses ended up being eaten by the local people - that is what they depend on for their food.”