Abstract:
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by the gram-positive, endospore-forming and soil-borne
bacterium Bacillus anthracis. When in spore form, the organism can survive in dormancy in the
environment for decades. It is a controlled disease of livestock and wild ungulates in South
Africa. In South Africa, the two enzootic regions are the Kruger National Park and the Ghaap
Plateau in the Northern Cape province. Farms on the Plateau span thousands of hectares
comprising of wildlife – livestock mixed use farming. In 2007–2008, anthrax outbreaks in the
province led to government officials intervening to aid farmers with control measures aimed
at preventing further losses. Because of the ability of the organism to persist in the environment
for prolonged periods, an environmental risk or isolation survey was carried out in 2012 to
determine the efficacy of control measures employed during the 2007–2008, anthrax outbreaks.
No B. anthracis could be isolated from the old carcass sites, even when bone fragments from the
carcasses were still clearly evident. This is an indication that the control measures and protocols
were apparently successful in stemming the continuity of spore deposits at previously positive
carcass sites.
