The Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed an anthrax outbreak in the eastern North Kivu Province, resulting in one death, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.
Four health zones around Lake Edward, near the border with Uganda, have been affected, with one confirmed and 16 suspected human cases.
Initial signs of the outbreak surfaced on March 22 in Virunga National Park, where dozens of wild animals, including buffalo and hippopotamuses, were found dead. The outbreak has since raised concerns about animal-to-human transmission in the region.
Anthrax, a serious bacterial infection, primarily affects livestock and wildlife but can also infect humans through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. The WHO has linked the current outbreak to a similar one across the border in Uganda’s Kabale district, where seven suspected human cases have been reported.
“Our efforts are focused on swiftly breaking the animal-to-human transmission,” said Dr. Boureima Sambo, WHO representative in the Congo. “We’re working closely with the government, communities, and partners to strengthen response measures to protect public health now and in the future.”
According to the WHO, livestock vaccination and community engagement are central to the ongoing response. Though human-to-human transmission of anthrax is rare, health officials are urging caution and adherence to safety protocols.
Anthrax in humans typically appears in three forms: cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalational. The most common, cutaneous anthrax, causes skin lesions and flu-like symptoms, while gastrointestinal anthrax—contracted through consumption of infected meat—can lead to severe abdominal complications.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are implementing containment measures to prevent further spread of the disease.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Monday strongly denied claims made by the M23 rebel group and its allies, alleging that the SADC's mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) participated in joint military operations in the eastern city of Goma.
The M23 rebel group intensified its offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Monday, pushing closer to the territorial capital of Walikale, according to local media reports.
Southern African leaders gathered virtually on Thursday to address the intensifying conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), focusing on both the deteriorating security situation and the performance of the SADC mission in the region.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced a $5 million reward for the capture of three leaders of the Congo River Alliance, including M23 commanders, as the government intensifies its efforts to combat the Rwandan-backed rebels seizing large portions of eastern DR Congo.
Germany announced on Tuesday that it is stopping new development aid to Rwanda and reviewing its existing commitments, citing concerns over Rwanda’s role in the conflict in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ukraine's parliament will ratify within the next few weeks a deal with the United States on developing minerals, First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Thursday.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday praised a recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting an agreement aimed at improving the trade balance between the two nations.
The United States is urging both Congo and Rwanda to sign a peace agreement at the White House in the coming months,accompanied by mineral deals that would attract billions of dollars in Western investment to the region, according to Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump's senior advisor for Africa.
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to release his fiscal year 2026 budget on Friday, which will be sent to Capitol Hill for review, Axios reported on Thursday.
The highly anticipated TEKNOFEST TRNC 2025 officially opened its doors on Thursday in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), attracting tech enthusiasts, innovators, and visitors from around the world.
In an expansive interview marking his first 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump sketched out an agenda that touches everything from punitive tariffs and China policy to cease-fire hopes in Ukraine and an overhaul of domestic programmes. Below are the highlights.
A deadly explosion at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port has left at least 40 dead, with more than 1,200 people injured, state media reported on Sunday, halting operations at one of the country’s most vital trade hubs.
North Korea has launched a new 5,000-tonne destroyer as part of Kim Jong Un’s plans to expand the country’s naval power far beyond its coastal waters.
A vehicle crashed into a crowd at a Filipino festival in Vancouver, killing 11 and injuring dozens.
A massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran on Saturday killed at least four people and injured nearly 600 others, officials said, prompting an urgent government investigation.
In a recent interview with Time, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his stance on high tariffs, stating that they could remain in place for the foreseeable future, even suggesting that a “total victory” would mean import taxes as high as 50% within a year.
The European Union is making significant progress toward securing a €50 billion trade deal with the United States, according to EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.
Venezuela's economy saw a year-over-year growth of 9.3% in the first quarter of 2025, according to the country's central bank. This marks a slight increase compared to the 9.1% growth rate recorded in the same period last year.
Anthropic, the AI startup behind the Claude chatbot, unveiled two major updates on Thursday aimed at expanding the utility and performance of its AI platform.
Ukraine's parliament will ratify within the next few weeks a deal with the United States on developing minerals, First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Thursday.
Ukraine's parliament will ratify within the next few weeks a deal with the United States on developing minerals, First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Thursday.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday praised a recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting an agreement aimed at improving the trade balance between the two nations.
The United States is urging both Congo and Rwanda to sign a peace agreement at the White House in the coming months,accompanied by mineral deals that would attract billions of dollars in Western investment to the region, according to Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump's senior advisor for Africa.
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to release his fiscal year 2026 budget on Friday, which will be sent to Capitol Hill for review, Axios reported on Thursday.
The highly anticipated TEKNOFEST TRNC 2025 officially opened its doors on Thursday in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), attracting tech enthusiasts, innovators, and visitors from around the world.
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