| dc.description.abstract | 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. | |
