Malawi bans bush meat as anthrax kills 28 hippos
Government has banned consumption of bush meat in the southern region after a bacterial disease killed 28 hippos in Liwonde, raising fears more water animals might be affected.
Director of Parks and Wildlife Brighton Kunchedwa said the number of hippos killed due to the bacterial disease, anthrax, which is killing the hippos has risen from initial 22 to 28 this week.
“Preliminary laboratory tests show that the hippos were affected by anthrax, this is why we are suspending the sale of bush meat in the affected area, in the south,” he said.
He said the government would take action against anyone found selling the bush meat.
Anthrax bacteria affects the skin, lungs and other parts of the body.
It was not immediately known which other wild animals also get affected by anthrax.
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