LILONGWE, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Health in Malawi has confirmed a case of anthrax in humans in the country.
Samson Mndolo, the country's secretary for health, announced the development in a statement Monday, in which he said "the affected individual was clinically diagnosed" with the disease at a health facility in Mzimba, a border district with Zambia.
Mndolo said the Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture (Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development), healthcare professionals, local authorities, and international partners such as the World Health Organization, to ensure proper surveillance, response, and timely treatment of the patient.
The bacterial disease primarily infects animals and it is transmitted to humans mainly through direct contact with infected animals, or by handling contaminated animal products, such as hides, wool, or meat.
The disease was recently reported in neighboring Zambia where it had affected 335 people and killed at least four people as of Nov. 1, according to the Zambian Ministry of Health. ■