The Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child Welfare confirmed that the number of people in Zimbabwe afflicted with anthrax has doubled from 50 nearly a week ago to 100, medical information service Medinfo reported on Wednesday.
Three people have already died from the disease.
Spokesperson Dr Andrew Jamieson said that a cumulative total of 191 cases of human anthrax were reported in the Masvingo province since the outbreak of the disease about a month ago, including the three deaths.
Jamieson said although no further deaths in humans have been attributed to the disease, the number of cattle dying from anthrax continues to rise.
Masvingo province’s Bikita district has been hardest hit, notably in the areas of Ngorima, Chikuku and Devure.
More than 60 head of cattle had died by the end of December 2003, prompting a mass vaccination exercise to contain the disease — an initiative that may not succeed due to reported shortages of anthrax vaccine as a result of foreign currency shortages.
Health authorities have also intensified awareness campaigns regarding the disease among the small-scale farming communities in the area. A general appeal has been made to all villagers not to consume meat from cattle suspected to have died of anthrax.
Jamieson said: ”Anthrax is an acute infectious disease that typically affects livestock but which may be transmitted to humans through exposure to infected animals or tissue from infected animals.
”If left untreated, anthrax can be fatal in humans. It is therefore wiser to avoid exposure rather than run the risk of infection and possible death from the disease.”
Travellers visiting affected areas should strenuously avoid contact with livestock and eating locally slaughtered meat, he warned.
Jamieson said that the situation of food shortage in Zimbabwe has made the consumption of meat from animals dying of anthrax by local inhabitants more likely.
”Its much harder to educate people when they’re starving.” — Sapa