Zambian authorities notified WHO about an Anthrax outbreak in humans on 1st November 2023.

The first human cases were reported from the Sinazongwe District on 5 May 2023.

In June 2023, human and animal cases were reported elsewhere in the same district.

By 20th November 2023, there were 684 suspected human cases, including four deaths.

A case fatality ratio (CFR) of 0.6% was reported in 44 out of 116 districts in 9 out of 10 Zambian provinces affected, with the Sinazongwe district as the epicenter.

The last large-scale outbreak in Zambia was in 2011 with 511 suspected cases.

Response to the outbreak is being done from both the human and animal side.

The risk of the event spreading within Zambia is assessed to be high due to unrestricted animal and carcass movement there.

The regional risk is also considered high due to the frequent movement of animals and people between Zambia and neighboring nations.