Anthrax Kills Dozens of Hippos in Virunga National Park, Sparking Environmental Emergency
A devastating anthrax outbreak has struck Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), resulting in the deaths of at least 50 hippos and other large animals. The alarming situation has prompted urgent action from park authorities and conservationists to contain the spread of the disease and mitigate its impact on the park's ecosystem.
The outbreak was discovered when park guards noticed a surge in dead animals along the Ishasha River, which forms the border between Congo and Uganda. Tests later confirmed that anthrax poisoning was the cause of the deaths. The exact source of the outbreak remains unclear, but anthrax is known to occur naturally in soil, and animals can become infected through contaminated soil, plants, or water.
"It’s difficult due to lack of access and logistics,” Virunga Park director Emmanuel De Merode told Reuters. “We have the means to limit the spread (of the disease) by…burying them with caustic soda.”
The loss of these hippos is a significant blow to Virunga National Park, which has been working diligently to restore its hippo population after years of poaching and civil unrest. In 2006, the hippo population had dwindled to just a few hundred, but thanks to conservation efforts, it has rebounded to approximately 1,200.
The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation has issued a warning to local residents, urging them to avoid contact with wildlife in the affected area. They also advised boiling water from local sources before drinking to prevent potential infection.
A team has been deployed to the park to remove the dead hippos from the water and bury them, but the lack of equipment and logistical challenges are hampering their efforts. The river flows into Lake Edward, where more hippo carcasses have been sighted, raising concerns about the further spread of the disease.
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by bacteria. While it primarily affects animals, humans can also contract the disease through contact with infected animals or contaminated products.
Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, home to a wide range of species, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. The park has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including poaching, deforestation, and armed conflict.