Five African Countries Facing Anthrax Outbreaks

The New York Times (12/19, Mandavilli) reports, “Five African countries are battling outbreaks of anthrax, with nearly 1,200 people affected so far and 20 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.” However, “the official tally belies confusion about the exact nature and scale of the outbreaks, which may complicate the efforts needed to contain them.” Just 35 cases “have been confirmed with lab tests. That is not unusual or unreasonable, experts said, especially in regions with limited resources. But at least in Uganda, many of the presumed cases have resulted in negative tests for anthrax, raising the possibility that a second disease is circulating.”