Anthrax has broken out in Chama district of Muchinga Province.
So far, seven people are being treated for the disease with the first case reported last week on Thursday.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson, Kamoto Mbewe has confirmed in a statement availed to Breeze News.
Dr. Mbewe says that the source of the disease is an Anthrax outbreak in the Hippo population in the Luangwa River.
He has assured the nation, particularly people of Chama District, that there is no need for alarm because the Ministry of Health, working in conjunction with other government agencies and departments, including the Department for National Parks and Wildlife have mounted a vigorous response to contain the outbreak.
Anthrax is a serious disease that affects animals and can be transmitted to humans when people touch, cut, cook and eat meat from infected animals.
Dr. Mbewe says the source of the current outbreak in Chama, is due to people in the area coming into contact with Hippos that have died of Anthrax.
He has discouraged people from eating or handling meat of ANY animal that has died from unknown causes.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Health in Eastern Province has heightened surveillance in Lundazi, Mambwe, Petauke and Nyimba districts to detect any cases of Anthrax.
Provincial Medical Officer Abel Kabalo says that the ministry is aware that people in the four districts are at risk because of the Luangwa river, where hippos, which have died from anthrax, were found.
Dr. Kabalo says that the most affected area is Chikwa in Chama district, in an area called Bagdad, where about four cases were reported.