Anthrax claims lives of 28 hippos in DR Congo’s Virunga National park

Residents near the river noticed the escalating deaths beginning in mid-September. “It was in mid-September that we began to notice the mass deaths of hippos in the Semuliki River. We have started to fear this situation, which is unfolding whilst we are in the midst of the Ebola outbreak,” said Michael Kambale, a resident of Vitshumbi, located approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Goma.

Laboratory testing confirmed that anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is responsible for the deaths. Virunga National Park reported that 28 hippos have perished over the last month. The park issued a statement warning that anthrax can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected or deceased animals or by consuming their meat.

Ecology and veterinary medicine expert Joel Mbusa Mapoli emphasized the significance of the loss for the park and urged immediate action to contain the outbreak. He noted that hippos are vital to the ecosystem, influencing nutrient flow and habitat conditions.

Park officials are currently focused on monitoring the affected area, safely handling and disposing of carcasses, and informing local communities. Residents are being advised against touching, skinning, or consuming any dead animals and to report any sightings to authorities.

Virunga National Park, established in 1925 and Africa’s oldest, faces ongoing challenges, including armed conflict that has fueled poaching and deforestation. The park has lost control of a significant portion of its territory due to conflict between the Congolese army and M23 fighters.

Park officials attribute recurring anthrax outbreaks to drought conditions, the persistence of the bacterium in the soil, and the concentration of animals around limited water sources. The park’s hippo population, estimated at over 2,700 in February 2026, is distributed across 171 groups. A similar outbreak in 2025 resulted in the deaths of 65 hippos.

Experts advocate for a combined approach of conservation and public health interventions, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. They recommend enhanced surveillance, community protection, proper carcass management, and increased collaboration among various organizations.