Disease

Anthrax - Namibia

The Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia has reported a suspected anthrax outbreak in Opuwo District, Kunene Region, located in the far north-west part of the country.

As of 21 November 2018, a total of 52 suspected cases of anthrax were reported, manifesting either as the cutaneous or the gastrointestinal form of the disease.

About 138 community members reportedly consumed meat from dead goats and/or handled the carcasses, and were administered antibiotic prophylaxis. The veterinary division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry earlier reported that a total of 98 goats, donkeys and cattle died of an unknown cause in the Sesfontein settlement since August 2018.

Madagascar plague update

Madagascar health officials have reported 46 human plague cases since Aug. 1. Of this total, 14 have died. Bubonic plague accounts for 36 of the total cases, including five fatalities. The remaining 10 cases were pneumonic plague. Nine pneumonic plague cases died from their illness.