GENEVA, December 9. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the risk of anthrax spread in Zambia and the surrounding area as high. In its news bulletin released in Geneva, WHO said that 684 suspected human cases, including four deaths, were reported from 44 out of 116 districts in nine of Zambia’s 10 provinces as of 20 November 2023.

A large-scale outbreak like the current one has not been reported in Zambia since 2011, when there were 511 suspected human cases, WHO said. The epidemic is spreading along the provinces located along the basin of the Zambezi, Kafue, and Luangwa rivers.

"The risk of the event spreading within Zambia has increased due to the unrestricted animal movement and carcasses within and between provinces," the organization said. "The risk at the regional level is also considered high due to the frequent movement of both animals and people between Zambia and its neighboring countries (such as Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe)," WHO noted.

The first human anthrax case was reported on June 16, 2023.

WHO advises against implementing any travel or trade restrictions based on the current information available on this event.