Infectious disease spreading in Malawi

BLANTYRE, Malawi

A severe infectious disease in humans has been recorded in northern Malawi, health authorities said Tuesday.

The first case was detected in an area that borders Zambia, where four deaths and 335 cases from the anthrax disease have been recorded in 2023.

“The affected individual was clinically diagnosed with anthrax at a health facility in Mzimba District,” Samson Ndolo, principal secretary in the Ministry of Health, said in a statement shared with Anadolu.

“The National Reference Laboratory further confirmed the diagnosis at the Public Health Institute of Malawi on Monday,” said Ndolo.

Anthrax is an animal disease caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacteria, commonly found in hippos, cattle, sheep, and goats. It can occasionally affect humans who come into contact with infected animals or animal products.

Ndolo said the government works closely with health care professionals, local authorities and international partners like the World Health Organization to ensure proper surveillance, response and timely patient treatment.

“Our healthcare system, however, can diagnose and offer the treatment for the disease, and we are working with the Department of Animal Health to contain the disease,” said Ndolo.

The first case of anthrax in southern Africa was reported in the Kruger National Park in 1961 before Zambia reported another case in 1987.