An anthrax patient in Nabwalya has testified about the dangers of consuming meat from animals infected with the disease.
Derrick Ntambo, one of the 14 patients currently receiving treatment at Kalimba Health Post in Nabwalya Village in Mpika after testing positive for anthrax, has urged members of the public not to eat the carcasses of animals that have died on their own.
Provincial Health Director Dr. David Silweya says all the cases are stable and that the Ministry has sufficient medication.
Dr. Silweya added that the Ministry is also conducting sensitisation programmes in communities on the dangers of consuming meat from infected animals.
A joint team comprising the Provincial Administration, Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), and the Ministry of Health is in Kazembe and Kalimba villages, the epicentre of the outbreak, working to contain it.
Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Tuesday Bwalya has assured the public that the Government is working hard to contain the outbreak.
DNPW Senior Warden Peter Sichivula says only wildlife has been affected so far. He revealed that four buffaloes, 26 hippos and one crocodile have died from anthrax.
Mr. Sichivula said the department is conducting surveillance, burning carcasses to prevent further spread, and patrolling the area to ensure that no meat leaves the affected zones.
By Cecilia Kayaya Mporokoso
