Hippos die in Uganda

This item appears on page 23 of the November 2010 issue.

At least 83 hippopotamuses died in Queen Elizabeth National Park in southern Uganda in June and July. An outbreak of naturally occurring anthrax was blamed. The park is home to over 5,000 hippos, and officials are working to prevent the spread to other animals.

The infection has stayed well clear of areas visited by tourists. The most likely way for a human to catch the disease in the park is by contact with or consumption of a diseased animal.