Anthrax has claimed the lives of at least 50 hippos and multiple buffalo in Congo’s Virunga National Park, with dead animals continuing to appear along the Ishasha River.
At a Glance
- At least 50 hippos and several buffalo have died from anthrax poisoning in Virunga National Park, Congo
- Park rangers discovered the carcasses floating in the Ishasha River, which borders Uganda
- Local communities have been warned to avoid wildlife and boil water before consumption
- Disposal efforts are hampered by lack of excavation equipment and access issues
- Anthrax bacteria can lie dormant in soil for decades before causing deadly outbreaks
Deadly Outbreak Confirmed in Congo’s Oldest National Park
Park officials at Virunga National Park in eastern Congo have confirmed an anthrax outbreak that has killed at least 50 hippos and multiple buffalo. The animals were discovered floating along the Ishasha River, creating a grim scene that threatens both wildlife populations and potentially human health in surrounding communities. Virunga, Africa’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, currently hosts approximately 1,200 hippos – a population that had been slowly recovering from years of poaching and regional conflict.
Park director Emmanuel De Merode confirmed the outbreak Tuesday, stating that laboratory tests had identified anthrax as the cause of death. “Tests confirmed anthrax poisoning,” De Merode, adding that buffalo populations have also been affected by the deadly bacteria. The situation continues to worsen as more carcasses are discovered along the river and into Lake Edward, where the river flows.
Response Hindered by Practical Challenges
Efforts to contain the outbreak face significant obstacles due to the remote location and lack of proper equipment. De Merode acknowledged these difficulties, noting that disposing of the large animal carcasses has proven particularly challenging. “It’s difficult due to lack of access and logistics,” he explained. Without excavators or heavy machinery, park rangers cannot properly bury the hippo carcasses, which can weigh up to 3,000 pounds each.
“There are more than 25 hippopotamus bodies floating in the waters of the lake, from Kagezi to Nyakakoma,” – said Thomas Kambale, a civil society leader in Nyakakoma.
Adding to the complexity, portions of the affected area are controlled by rebel fighters, further limiting access for park officials and conservation teams. The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation has issued warnings to local communities, advising residents to avoid contact with wildlife and to thoroughly boil water before consumption to reduce infection risks.
Understanding Anthrax and Its Deadly Cycle
Anthrax is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, which can remain dormant in soil for decades before environmental conditions trigger an outbreak. The bacteria forms hardy spores that activate when exposed through drought, flooding, or other ecological changes. When animals like hippos consume vegetation contaminated with these spores, they become infected with the potentially fatal disease.
“Anthrax infection in wildlife is actually fairly common,” said Melissa Marx, an infectious disease expert who studied a similar outbreak in Zambia.
Scientists believe that lower river levels may have exposed previously submerged soil containing anthrax spores, which then contaminated the vegetation consumed by hippos and buffalo. Once an animal dies from anthrax, its decomposing carcass releases more bacteria into the soil and water, creating a deadly cycle that can rapidly affect large numbers of animals sharing the same habitat.
Common though it may be, the loss of over 50 hippos from such a small population of 1200, is devastating. “The deaths represent a major loss for the park, which has been working to increase the number of hippos in recent decades after poaching and war reduced the population from over 20,000 to a few hundred by 2006. The park now holds about 1,200 hippos.” according to Reuters.
Historical Context and Human Risk
This is not the first anthrax outbreak to affect hippo populations in Africa. In 2004, anthrax killed approximately 200 hippos in Uganda, and the disease also claimed human lives when local communities consumed meat from infected animals. Similarly, a 2011 outbreak along Zambia’s Luangwa River killed at least 85 hippos and led to over 500 human anthrax cases when food-insecure villagers ate contaminated meat.
While the current outbreak in Virunga hasn’t yet reported human infections, authorities remain vigilant. The park’s location in a conflict zone complicates public health messaging, as some communities may not receive warnings about the dangers of consuming meat from animals that died of unknown causes. Anthrax can be treated with antibiotics if caught early, but in remote areas with limited healthcare access, infections can prove fatal.
Conservation Impact
For Virunga National Park, which has worked diligently to increase hippo populations after years of decline due to poaching and regional unrest, this outbreak represents a significant setback. The park’s biodiversity has been under constant threat since the early 2000s due to militia activity in the region, making conservation efforts particularly challenging.
While the current death toll of 50 hippos represents only about 4% of Virunga’s hippo population, officials remain concerned that the outbreak could spread further if containment measures prove inadequate. The hippo is currently listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, with habitat loss and poaching already putting pressure on populations across Africa.
