Lumezi District in Eastern Province has recorded three confirmed cases of anthrax in wildlife, prompting government to deliver 12,000 vaccine doses to protect domestic animals and prevent the disease from spreading to humans.
The confirmed cases involve one hippo and two elephants, according to Lumezi Town Council Department of Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services officer Dr. Terence Kalota.
Dr. Kalota says the vaccines will be administered on 11,000 cattle and 1,000 goats, with priority given to areas close to Game Management Areas and National Parks.
The vaccination exercise is scheduled for the first week of November 2026, targeting more than 1,000 households across the district.
Community sensitisation will be conducted over five days starting next week.
The doses are part of 58,000 vaccines delivered by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to Eastern Province for distribution to five high-risk districts.
Dr. Kalota has cautioned residents against touching wild animal carcasses or consuming game meat from unknown sources, advising them to only access meat from licensed hunting outfits.
The development follows last month’s anthrax outbreak in neighbouring Mpika district, where twelve people were infected after consuming meat from wildlife carcasses that tested positive for the disease.
By Samuel Khwawe
