Anthrax Outbreak Kills at Least 50 Hippos in Africa’s Oldest National Park

Anthrax has caused a mass die-off of hippos living inside Africa’s oldest nature reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Officials at Virunga National Park report that at least 50 hippos, along with other large animals, were recently killed by the bacterial disease. Media outlets reported on the hippo slaughter Tuesday, which appears to have begun last week. According to park park director Emmanuel de Merode, the hippos were found dead floating in a river south of Lake Edward. Though officials have reached the area, they haven’t been able to recover and bury the bodies yet. “It’s difficult due to lack of access and logistics,” De Merode told Reuters. “We have the means to limit the spread (of the disease) by…burying them with caustic soda.” Anthrax is caused by Bacillus bacteria, usually Bacillus anthracis. Its symptoms vary depending on how the bacteria enter the body, but the inhaled form of anthrax is especially dangerous. Without prompt antibiotic and antitoxin treatment, i ... Read full article.