Anthrax warning: Dead hippopotamus tests positive in Rutshuru territory of North Kivu, DRC

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) report a case of anthrax has been confirmed in a hippopotamus found dead in Vitshumbi, in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu.

The animal was discovered on August 8 by patrol teams from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) in Virunga National Park (PNVi).

Unfortunately, residents had already collected some of the meat before the laboratory results were published, prompting a health alert being issued asking health facilities in Vitshumbi to closely monitor people who may have come into contact with the animal or its meat.

The chief medical officer for the area is specifically asking health workers to identify individuals who have handled or consumed this meat.

“Strengthen surveillance of suspected cases presenting in particular with an unusual skin lesion, fever or altered general condition after contact with an animal or its products (meat). Actively search for and list any person who has handled, moved, transported or consumed the meat of this animal,” recommend the health authorities.

The health authority also requests that any suspected case be reported immediately.

Residents are urged not to touch the carcasses of animals found dead under unknown circumstances. They are also asked not to butcher or consume the meat.

Making things worse, the Rutshuru territory is located in a province affected by Ebola. Furthermore, it is an area controlled by the M23 rebels and therefore falls outside the direct control of national health authorities. The security situation in this part of North Kivu is thus a factor to consider when monitoring individuals who may have been exposed.

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by a bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. Many different types of animals, as well as people, can get the disease.

In animals, signs of the illness usually appear 3 to 7 days after the spores are swallowed or inhaled. Once signs begin in animals, they usually die within two days. Infected animals may stagger, have difficulty breathing, tremble, and finally collapse and die within a few hours. Sometimes animals may have a fever and a period of excitement followed by staggering, depression, unconsciousness (lacking awareness), difficulty breathing, seizures, and death. Dark blood may ooze from the mouth, nose, and anus.

Handling or eating a dead or sick animal infected with anthrax can transmit anthrax to humans and other animals. Anthrax is not spread by sneezing or coughing. Person-to-person spread of the disease is unlikely.

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In humans, symptoms of disease vary depending on how the disease was contracted, but usually occur within 7 days after exposure. The three forms of human anthrax are inhalation anthrax (caused when the spores are inhaled into the lungs), cutaneous anthrax (caused when broken skin comes into contact with infected animals or hides), and intestinal anthrax (caused when undercooked meat from an infected animal is eaten).

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Initial symptoms of inhalation anthrax infection may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal, unless the patient is treated before any symptoms occur.

The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated food and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Like inhalation anthrax, the intestinal form is usually fatal.

The cutaneous form of the disease begins with itching at the site of the exposure, followed by the formation of a round, pimple-like sore. This sore will then form a blister which, after 2-6 days will become a hard, black scab (similar to the scab left after a deep burn). Untreated, between 5 and 20% of patients will die. However, with adequate antibiotic treatment very few deaths occur.