WHO actively responds to anthrax epidemic in the DRC

Goma – In mid-Could per chance, 57-year-gentle Pierre* used to be admitted to a health centre in the Lubero position after suffering from severe itching on his true hand, followed by pruritus and a swelling of his forearm. He used to be treated and, given the unique symptoms, samples had been quiet and despatched for diagnosis at the laboratory of the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in Goma. 

An alert used to be beforehand issued at the finish of March 2025 following the loss of life of dozens of buffalo and hippopotamuses in Virunga National Park in North Kivu. Samples taken on 29 March from a no longer too lengthy in the past deceased hippopotamus and examined at the Goma veterinary laboratory revealed the presence of spores of the bacillus chargeable for anthrax.

Anthrax is a bacterial zoonosis (disease transmissible from animals to humans) that usually affects ruminants (cows, sheep and goats). Humans can grow to be infected through contact with a ailing animal or contaminated merchandise (similar to meat, blood, wool, hides and bones). All kinds of human anthrax (cutaneous, gastrointestinal and respiratory) require hospitalization and medical cure. 

To be certain that a multi-sectoral response to this concerning health reveal, the national departments of health, ambiance, fisheries and livestock, with enhance from companions including the World Health Group (WHO), UNICEF, FAO and CDC Africa, cling build the “One Health” device into train. The finish collaboration between the human, animal and environmental health companies and products is designed to give protection to lives in response to health emergencies. 

A delegation from these departments and organisations visited the Binza and Rutshuru health zones from 25 to 28 Could per chance 2025 to strengthen surveillance and the response to outbreaks of suspected cases of anthrax in the Binza and Lubero health zones. 

“One of the excessive-influence measures led by the national authorities with the enhance of companions used to be the pattern of the national multi-sector anthrax preparedness and response concept. Via this overall device to the response, we are able to be certain that a entire response, from prevention actions to the clinical management of patients. We are assured that this health risk will rapidly be over,” acknowledged Dr Aline Katerekwa Ntamushigo, Medical Supervisor at the National Programme for Emergencies and Humanitarian Action (NPEHA). “Our discussions with those involved on the floor are helping us to take care of this risk effectively to give protection to of us, animals and the ambiance.” 

Since the announcement of the epidemic, WHO has supported the response on several ranges. Dr Célestin Ndaliko, epidemiologist in price of surveillance at the WHO Administrative heart in the DRC, used to be a member of the response crew that went to Binza. “There are indispensable challenges in phrases of disease detection. So, every anthrax investigation turns into an act of resilience, a glimmer of hope to stop the unfold of this devastating disease.” 

As of 26 Could per chance 2025, 24 suspected human anthrax cases had been reported, alongside the deaths of 9 goats, one cow, 60 hippopotamuses and 27 buffalo reported in four health zones in the japanese province of North Kivu.

“Our enhance has been supplied at several ranges, and we are particularly alive to to present relevant be pleased those affected. In most cases, the disease will almost definitely be cured with antibiotics, which could well per chance just quiet be prescribed by a health educated,” explained Dr Leopold Ouedraogo, Emergency Manager in the provinces of North and South Kivu.

WHO has made bigger than four tonnes of medicines on hand to 12 health companies and products, a substantial quantity of which has been handed over to the authorities in the Binza health zone in Rutshuru territory. 

“Up to now, despite the indisputable truth that our Binza health zone has no longer but recorded any human cases, we cling what it takes to stop and be earlier than what can also happen,” acknowledged Dr Bernard Kakule, Chief Medical Officer for the Binza health zone.

WHO has performed a central role in irascible-border coordination between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, facilitating conversation and collaboration between the two international locations in response to the re-emergence of anthrax in humans and animals. Surveillance has thus been strengthened, seriously by activating the “One Health” unit in Rutshuru, to be certain that early detection and snappily response in excessive-risk health zones by integrating the human, animal and environmental dimensions of health. 

To produce native means, the WHO has also supported the training of community relays, the pattern of consciousness-raising materials and the conduct of public and door-to-door consciousness-raising campaigns on disease prevention measures. The Organisation also donated prevention kits (chlorine, hand sanitizers), fundamental medicines and medical equipment for cure, and inspired collaboration with technical companions similar to INRB to enhance epidemiological surveillance. 

Despite safety and logistical challenges, WHO’s enhance has enabled the foundations to be laid for a coordinated response, whereas highlighting the want for higher commitment to community consciousness-raising, the right management of carcasses and the vaccination of animals at risk.

Since the epidemic used to be introduced, 24 of us cling been treated in health companies and products in the Binza and Lubero health zones, including Pierre, who has been discharged from the health facility and resumed his existence.

On the floor, our teams are quiet working exhausting to continue protecting of us and their herds, working together in the face of a overall risk.