Outbreak of Anthrax among the Hippopotamus population of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.pdf

A severe epidemic affecting hippopotami was reported in Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), Uganda. At least 215 individuals had died of an acute infection with B. anthracis, which is known to be lethal for hippopotami. In the course of this consultancy further samples from dead hippopotami were collected and B. anthracis was confirmed using a Real Time PCR. Results from analyses on water samples collected at different places of the area did not reveal the presence of the pathogen in the waterways. However, the carcass density was very low at the time of sample collection and the concentration of contaminating spores may have undergone significant changes depending on time and environmental factors. The main recommendation is to enhance the diagnostic capacity of the MAAIF laboratory, in order to allow reliable diagnosis which, in combination with an "emergency plan", will assure fast and effective outbreak response and will prevent outbreaks of this degree in the future.