Anthrax Outbreak Kills at Least 30 Hippos in DR Congo’s Virunga National Park

Anthrax Outbreak Kills at Least 30 Hippos in DR Congo’s Virunga National Park

An anthrax outbreak has killed at least 30 hippopotamuses at Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) since September, officials have confirmed. Laboratory tests identified anthrax as the cause of the deaths, raising fresh concerns about wildlife conservation in Africa’s oldest national park.

Park authorities say no new cases have been detected in the past two weeks and are cautiously optimistic following significant rainfall. However, monitoring continues, while local communities have been warned not to touch or consume animals found dead but to report them to authorities. Anthrax can infect humans through contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

The latest outbreak follows a similar incident last year that killed approximately 65 hippos and affected buffaloes in the park. Established in 1925, Virunga covers about 3,000 square miles and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkable wildlife and diverse habitats.