Nakuru County denies blame for anthrax outbreak

The Nakuru County government has dispelled rumours that poor disposal of sewerage effluents and garbage was the cause of anthrax outbreak at the Nakuru National Park, which has already killed 14 buffaloes.

The County Director for Veterinary Services, Dr Onesmous Gitui, said anthrax was a zoonotic bacterial disease which was mainly found in the soil and he suspects that the immediate trigger of the diseases was because the animals are eating soil due to lack of pastures.

He advised the Kenya Wildlife Services, who are in charge of the park to source for pasture for their animals during severe droughts to avoid incidents of anthrax outbreak.

Anthrax, an infectious bacterial disease, also attacks humans who come into contact with the infected animals.

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The disease is suspected to have killed more than 14 buffaloes since the first 10 cases were reported Sunday.

So far 14 of 15 white rhinos, 4 of 67 black rhinos have been vaccinated with the process set to be completed within the next 10 days.

The last time there was an anthrax outbreak at Lake Nakuru National Park was in 2015 where at least 100 buffaloes and two rhinos died from the infectious disease.

The outbreak has been blamed on prolonged dry and hot weather conditions.

However, Dr Gitui assured the residents that they have already embarked on a vaccination crusade for all the domestic animals, which surround the park such as Mwariki, Njoro, and Elburgorn.

He confirmed that so far only one cow at Elburgon has died of anthrax but the carcass was professionally disposed of by Public Health Officer and the 22 people who had eaten the meat are out of danger.

Dr Gitui said no rhino has died at the park adding that the rhinos were not likely to be infected because they were vaccinated in 2015.

He said prior to the outbreak at the park which has caused concern locally and internationally, the county in January embarked on a vaccination drive for all the domestic animals.

This, he said, has contributed a great deal to the containment of anthrax at the park. However, he urged locals to ensure that they consume only inspected meat to avoid being infected.

He said anthrax was a lethal bacterium and it infects both animals and human beings and they have installed toll-free numbers where wananchi can report carcasses of any uninspected meat.

The toll-free numbers are 0701032032 or 0737032032 and they are manned 24 hours.