title: Human-animal anthrax outbreak in the Luangwa valley of Zambia in 2011.
abstract: There has been a reduction of incidences of anthrax in the developed countries but it is still a public health problem in the developing countries where communities live in interface areas with wildlife. An outbreak of anthrax in Hippopotamus amphibious was observed in Zambia. Following the death of hippopotamuses, suspected human cases were reported. The objective of this study was to isolate and confirm Bacillus anthracis and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility for the management of the disease. Of the specimens collected, 29.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.4-56.0) were from humans, 42.1% (95% CI, 21.1-66.0) were from hippopotamuses and 20.0% (95% CI, 6.61-44.3) from the soil were found to be positive were for B. anthracis. An antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that all the isolates were found to be sensitive to the recommended antibiotics. The disease control was achieved by case management and by explaining to the communities that they should avoid contact with animals that die from unknown causes.
authors.affiliation: University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia. mudenda68@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mudenda B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hang'ombe
authors.forename: James C L
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mwansa
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muwowo
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mulenga
authors.forename: Muzala
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kapina
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Musenga
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Squarre
authors.forename: Liywali
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mataa
authors.forename: Suzuki Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Hirohito
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sawa
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Higashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000382:microbiology*; D000881:Anthrax / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001188:Artiodactyla / Q000382:microbiology*; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents