Anthrax is a serious bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis. It naturally affects livestock and wild animals globally, but humans can contract it through exposure to infected animals or contaminated products. It is not contagious between people.
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Anthrax holds significant historical importance, being one of the first diseases for which a specific bacterial cause (*Bacillus anthracis*) was identified by Robert Koch in 1876. Louis Pasteur developed the first effective bacterial vaccine against anthrax in 1881, a landmark achievement in microbiology. Its use as a bioweapon has also marked its place in recent history.
Humans typically acquire anthrax through contact with spores, usually from infected animals or contaminated animal products like hides, wool, or meat. The main routes are skin contact (cutaneous), inhalation of spores (inhalation), or ingestion of contaminated food (gastrointestinal). Anthrax is generally not transmitted from person to person.
Contagious Period: Varies by disease
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Anthrax remains endemic in Kazakhstan. This event envelope documents human and livestock anthrax occurrences in Kazakhstan.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
An anthrax outbreak has been confirmed in Croatia, in the town of Drniš, located in Šibenik-Knin County. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Bacillus anthracis in the affected animal. In response, Croatian authorities have declared an anthrax control zone in the area and are preparing to launch a livestock vaccination campaign to prevent further cases.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
A suspected anthrax death in a wild elephant at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has triggered precautionary protocols including carcass disposal, vaccination directives for at-risk human populations, and intensified surveillance. The incident represents a potential zoonotic threat in a wildlife-human interface zone outside India's traditional eastern anthrax hotspots, occurring during the seasonal high-risk period observed in endemic regions.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
This event envelope contains reports on anthrax outbreaks in Kenya.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
Uganda is experiencing an escalating anthrax burden, with 2024 recording 14 outbreaks—the highest annual count in eight years—primarily driven by contact with suddenly deceased livestock in cattle corridor districts. Media reports highlight a February 2026 outbreak in Lyantonde District that has caused four attributed deaths and two cases under care, with three laboratory-confirmed samples linked to handling of infected carcasses.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
DLS has initiated emergency measures to prevent anthrax. This indicates an immediate and serious public health concern requiring urgent preventative action.
An anthrax outbreak in a buffalo herd in northeastern Bulgaria has resulted in nine animal deaths, with illegal meat processing creating significant human exposure risk. The delayed reporting and environmental contamination with persistent B. anthracis spores necessitate expanded vaccination, intensive surveillance, and investigation of potential human exposures through contaminated products.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
In March 2026, an anthrax outbreak in Natore District, Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh, hospitalized 12 people after they handled or ate meat from a diseased cow, with three severe cases needing hospitalization. Veterinary investigations confirmed zoonotic transmission, and PCR testing verified infection in animals. The combination of environmental spore contamination and the seasonal peak transmission period poses a significant risk of human exposure through the consumption of uninspected meat from diseased animals.
Source: BEACON - View Full Report
Anthrax is preventable: communities must avoid touching, skinning, or consuming suspicious carcasses, report cases to veterinary or health authorities, wash hands after handling animals, and seek immediate medical care if exposed. Anthrax, locally known as "Kooto" in Runyankore and "Kakooto" in Luganda, is a zoonotic disease that continues to recur in Uganda, causing severe impacts on both livestock and human health. Over the past decade, outbreaks have hit districts across the cattle corridor, including Isingiro in 2017, Kiruhura and Kween in 2018, and Ibanda, Kyotera, Amudat, and Sembabule between 2023 and 2024. In 2024 alone, outbreaks in Kazo, Kanungu, and Sembabule led to deaths and quarantines. Suspected cases in Kabale and a confirmed outbreak in Bushenyi this year underline that an...
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DHAKA, Oct 5, 2025 (BSS)- In response to outbreaks of anthrax among cattle in several districts, the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) has initiated urgent and coordinated measures to prevent and control its spread. Anthrax is a bacterial zoonotic disease that can spread from livestock to huma... Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) - Read Full Article
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View WHO Resources →Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-03
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