Africa-Press – Botswana. Following the outbreak of Anthrax in some neighbouring countries some weeks ago, the Ministry of Health says the outbreak did not extend to Botswana.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Christopher Nyanga said despite this, the ministry through the Botswana public health Institute (BPHI), has activated its surveillance mechanisms and strengthened its detection and early warning systems, to firstly ensure that the disease does not spread to Botswana and secondly to immediately detect it, if it does.
Nyanga said since the disease is largely found in animals and is predominantly spread to humans through eating infected animals, the possibility of it spreading to Botswana and to humans, is minimal.
“The Ministry of Health therefore, wishes to assure all Batswana and residents of this country, as well as all visitors, that together with the Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders, it has put in place all the necessary precautions and safeguards, to ensure their safety. The public is however, advised to remain vigilant and avoid touching or eating animals that are found dead,” said Nyanga.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Anthrax has broken out in various parts of Zambia, with 335 people infected so far and four deaths, health authorities said on Wednesday.
Zambian Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo was quoted by the news agency as saying that the disease, contracted through eating anthrax-contaminated meat, has been reported in six of the country’s 10 provinces.
Most of the patients were having skin sores or ulcers, nausea, vomiting, and fever, she said, noting that most of the patients were being treated at home and that only six were admitted to hospitals in Maamba, Choma and Livingstone districts in the southern part of the country.
“We have implemented a range of public health measures following a ‘one health approach’ to contain and prevent the spread of anthrax,” she told reporters during a press briefing.
She further said the Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to ensure that the spread of the disease among humans and animals is contained.
The minister has since appealed to people to avoid buying meat and buy only from authorized butcheries.
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