According to the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), several hippos were found dead in the Semuliki River within Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The ICCN has confirmed that the hippos died from anthrax, a serious bacterial disease that can affect both animals and humans. In a communiqué published last Tuesday, the ICCN stated that analyses conducted by its provincial office in North Kivu and veterinarians from Virunga Doctors confirmed that bacillary anthrax was the cause of death for the hippos found in the river. Anthrax is a disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can survive in the environment for long periods and infect animals through contact with contaminated soil or water. The ICCN has implemented a sanitary protocol to prevent the spread of the disease and has urged local residents to take precautions. People are advised not to touch the carcasses of dead animals, handle their meat, or consume bushmeat, which is meat from wild animals. These actions can increase the risk of transmission to humans. Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has emphasized the importance of involving local communities in disease prevention efforts. The ICCN warns that anthrax can be transmitted to humans through contact with dead or sick animals, or by consuming their meat. It urges people to avoid any contact with the carcasses, not to move, cut, or burn them, and to keep children, livestock, and domestic animals away from the affected areas. Using water near the carcasses is also discouraged. The ICCN has called on residents to report any suspicious animal deaths or symptoms of illness in animals immediately. This helps authorities monitor the spread of anthrax and take necessary actions to protect both wildlife and human populations. The situation highlights the need for public awareness and cooperation in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases, which can jump from animals to humans.