The Kruger National Park (KNP), veterinary surgeons and researchers are closely monitoring an outbreak of anthrax in the north of the park.
”We would like to assure the public that this is a minor outbreak … and, at this stage, there is no major cause for concern as similar outbreaks have occurred in the past without spreading further,” KNP executive director Bandile Mkhize said in a statement on Friday.
The far north of the park is historically an endemic anthrax area and sporadic cases occur yearly. Large outbreaks were recorded in the area in the early 1960s, 1970s and 1990s.
”Although this disease naturally occurs in that part of the KNP, we will continue to intensively monitor the situation and take the necessary steps should [it] worsen,” Mkhize said.
Anthrax is a deadly viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals.
A total of 15 carcasses, which include kudu, nyala, buffalo and giraffe, have been found in the area over the past few weeks and all contained traces of anthrax. — Sapa