Anthrax Related Wildlife Mortality Preliminary report (2004-010)

Abstract

In September of 2004, a total of 47 animals that included buffaloes and elephants died from anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) in areas from Serondela to Ihaha (WP/RES 15/3/1 of September 14 2004). As a result of this outbreak, the areas from Serondela to Ihaha were closed to the public. For the purpose of this report, only mortalities that were recorded from the time around July to December which is regarded as the anthrax period are used in the analysis from the year 2004 to 2010. It needs to be noted that this report will be mainly looking at data collected on buffaloes and elephants as they were and still the most affected during the disease active period. This is not to say that other animals are not affected.