Editorial-Forecasting the anthrax outbreak dynamics in Zambia
Abstract
Anthrax, a highly infectious disease with deep historical roots believed to have originated in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, continues to pose a significant public health and agricultural threat in Zambia. This zoonotic disease, primarily affecting herbivores, including domestic livestock and wildlife, also affects humans, with three primary forms: cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalation anthrax. Zambia has experienced recurring anthrax outbreaks, especially in rural or agricultural areas, where transmission occurs through activities such as handling infected animal carcasses and consuming contaminated meat. To address this ongoing challenge, the Zambian government has implemented measures like surveillance, livestock vaccination, proper carcass disposal, and public awareness campaigns. The recurrence of anthrax outbreaks in Zambia is influenced by seasonal variations and interactions between Bacillus anthracis, grazing hosts, and the transmission of anthrax through necrophagous flies. An understanding of the environmental dynamics of anthrax, including spore persistence and soil interactions, is crucial for effective management. In recent months, Zambia has faced another anthrax outbreak in the Western Province, affecting both human and animal populations. Health authorities have urged livestock vaccination and advised against consuming potentially contaminated meat. Proactive measures, including mass vaccination campaigns and movement restrictions for cattle, are being employed to control this larger-scale outbreak. Mathematical models like the SIR-model can provide valuable tools for forecasting and understanding anthrax outbreaks. Projections for various Zambian provinces suggest varying outbreak patterns, highlighting the importance of tailored intervention strategies. Anthrax outbreaks in Zambia are a multifaceted challenge that requires comprehensive efforts in disease control, surveillance, and public awareness.All authors who submit their paper for publication will abide by following provisions of the copyright transfer: 1. The copyright of the paper rests with the authors. And they are transferring the copyright to publish the article and used the article for indexing and storing for public use with due reference to published matter in the name of concerned authors. 2. The authors reserve all proprietary rights such as patent rights and the right to use all or part of the article in future works of their own such as lectures, press releases, and reviews of textbooks. 3. In the case of republication of the whole, part, or parts thereof, in periodicals or reprint publications by a third party, written permission must be obtained from the Managing Editor of JPRM. 4. The authors declare that the material being presented by them in this paper is their original work, and does not contain or include material taken from other copyrighted sources. Wherever such material has been included, it has been clearly indented or/and identified by quotation marks and due and proper acknowledgements given by citing the source at appropriate places. 5. The paper, the final version of which they submit, is not substantially the same as any that they had already published elsewhere. 6. They declare that they have not sent the paper or any paper substantially the same as the submitted one, for publication anywhere else. 7. Furthermore, the author may only post his/her version provided acknowledgement is given to the original source of publication in this journal and a link is inserted wherever published. 8. All contents, Parts, written matters, publications are under copyright act taken by JPRM. 9. Published articles will be available for use by scholars and researchers. 10. IJPRM is not responsible in any type of claim on publication in our Journal. .