Health alert in Vitshumbi after anthrax-infected hippopotamus found

A health alert has been issued in Vitshumbi, located in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu, following the discovery of a dead hippopotamus that tested positive for anthrax. The Kibirizi health zone confirmed the case, raising significant concerns, particularly because local residents are reported to have consumed parts of the animal's meat before health services could intervene.

Health authorities are actively searching for individuals who may have handled the hippopotamus or eaten its meat. They are urging anyone experiencing suspicious symptoms, such as skin lesions or fever, to report them immediately. Anthrax is a bacterial disease that primarily affects herbivores but can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated meat.

The current alert comes after a significant outbreak of anthrax in 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 65 hippopotamuses within Virunga National Park, according to park sources. This history underscores the persistent risk of the disease in the region.

Authorities are calling on communities living near Lake Edward to adhere to preventive measures and avoid any contact with dead animals. A census conducted in February 2026 indicated over 2,700 hippopotamuses inhabit the southern part of Lake Edward. Their proximity to populated areas necessitates heightened vigilance among the riverside communities, as stated by health officials.