DR Congo steps up anthrax outbreak response with WHO support

KINSHASA, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), have intensified emergency measures in response to an outbreak of anthrax in the eastern province of North Kivu, the WHO said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the DRC Ministry of Health, 16 suspected and one confirmed human cases have been recorded, including one fatality.

The outbreak has been reported in four health zones near Lake Edward, bordering Uganda.

The ongoing outbreak has also been linked to the one on the Ugandan side, where seven suspected human cases have been reported in the Kabale district in western Uganda.

The DRC government and the WHO have initiated enhanced disease surveillance and epidemiological investigations to identify the source and transmission chains, the statement said, adding that medical supplies are being delivered, and patients are receiving appropriate treatment.

Cross-border coordination with Ugandan authorities is also being facilitated to strengthen containment efforts, it said.

"Our efforts are focused on swiftly breaking the animal-to-human transmission," said Boureima Sambo, the WHO representative in the DRC. "We are working closely with the government, communities, and partners to strengthen response measures to protect public health now and in the future."

The response is being implemented under the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This joint strategy strengthens prevention, detection, and control measures through coordinated actions, the statement said.

Anthrax is a bacterial disease that primarily affects animals but can infect humans through direct or indirect contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

While human-to-human transmission is rare, anthrax poses serious health risks and requires urgent medical treatment.

Human anthrax presents in three primary forms: cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalational. All forms require hospitalization and prompt antibiotic treatment.

Anthrax vaccines are available for animals and select high-risk individuals, though human vaccines remain limited in availability.

The first alert of the outbreak in the DRC this year was issued on March 22, following the death of several buffaloes and hippopotamuses in Virunga National Park.

Since then, veterinary teams have launched vaccination campaigns for livestock in high-risk communities and are working to dispose of infected animal carcasses safely. Enditem