Anthrax in the Kgalagadi?

[Lisbeth]

Doesn't look nice

[nan]

but they continue to say it was

[Alf]

Typical SP

[Richprins]

Dunno much about anthrax down there, but the predators die here in Kruger, sometimes, when there is an outbreak?


They die fast!

[Mel]

This one died fast as well. Not even 24 hours after those captures he was gone when you do the math from the posts on SPF.
Not sure about the time frame of the two young males at Marie's. I can only assume they were already dead before it was
published that all three of them had died.

nan, don't be unfair... They say at least that they look into possible disease as a reason.

[Richprins]

I thought maybe TB, Mello, but they don't die that fast? Or at all, mostly?

[Mel]

Okay, but with TB, don't the lions look really emaciated? And also have dark patches particularly in their faces?
I thought that swollen faces, especially around the nose (which was in one of those photos from the two at
Marie's waterhole) and around the mouth / cheek like with this one (and the other one at Marie's) were pretty
distinctive for anthrax.

[Richprins]

Ja, as said, TB is mostly linked to malnutrition/weak animals, I suppose? Dunno about the black spots?

There is also feline aids, but have no clue about that....haven't heard about it for years?


Just cutting down on the possibilities regarding this lion....definitely not a fight!

bees, who said that?

Snakebite...maybe, with the swelling, but they won't die, otherwise there would be no lions in Africa!

[Mel]

Snakebite in three lions is a bit too much of a coincidence, don't you think.

Bee stings were just an idea throwing in. Nothing from the official side.

[Richprins]

Got a reply from Dr V de Vos, ex SP vet, who says he feels it is without doubt anthrax, and should be treated as a serious incident, as Anthrax is deadly to humans too.




Daar is by my geen twyfel nie dat die toestand tewyte is aan miltsiekte (antraks, “anthrax”), n baie akute en dodelike siekte wat gewoonlik in n epidemiese vorm voorkom. Herkouers is baie vatbaar en vrek gewoonlik baie akuut. Predatore, soos leeus is minder vatbaar, maar hulle vreetgewoontes maak hulle baie kwesbaar. Die organisme (Bacillus anthracis) dring die liggaam binne deur die bek of spysverteringskanaal waar die epiteel se integriteit benadeel is deur n moontlike krap of besering. Dit kan mikroskopies klein wees. Growwe voedsel, veral gedurende laat winter/vroee somer veroorsaak dit in herkouers en natuurlik skerp bene in die geval van predatore. In die geval van van leeus dring die organisme gewoonlik die liggaam binne deur die sagte weefsel van die mond en keel. Dit veroorsaak dan inisieel n opswelling van die gesig voor dit die res van die liggaam indring en n bakteremie, septisemie en die dood veroorsaak. Die dood neem gewoonlik langer as in die geval van herkouers. As leeus hierdie simptome openbaar vind herstel feitlik nooit plaas nie. In hierdie geval is daar waarskynlik n punt epidemie aan die gang en die mense sal gewaarsku moet word, as hulle dit nie reeds weet nie! Onthou, mense is ook baie vatbaar en die siekte is dodelik! Die organisme is egter baie vatbaar vir penisillien en kan suksesvol behandel word, mits jy dit doen voor simptome voorkom. Ons het dit as voorkomingsmaatreel gebruik, waar kontak plaasgevind het in mens en dier.

Dit is bekend dat miltsiekte daar voorkom, en slaan periodiek uit. Maw, dit is n endemiese siekte vir daardie geweste en die natuur is ekologies aangepas daarby. Ek het dit lank gelede reeds daar vasgestel. Hoop die nuwe bestuur weet dit! Moet dit maar net dophou en toesien dat dit nie hande uitruk nie. Die situasie is feitlik identies met die van die Krugerwildtuin.

Dankie vir die belangstelling.

Translation:

There is no doubt in my mind that this is Anthrax, an acute and deadly disease normally occurring epidemically. Ruminants are very susceptible and usually die acutely. Predators, like lion, are less susceptible, but their feeding habits make them very vulnerable. The organism (Bacillus) enters the body through the mouth or digestive tract where the integrity has been compromised by a possible cut or lesion. This can be microscopically small. Rough diet, especially during late winter/early summer, causes these lesions in herbivores, and obviously sharp bones in predators. In the case of lion, the organism normally enters the body through the soft tissue of the mouth and throat. This initially causes a swelling of the face, before it infects the rest of the body, causing bacteriamism, sepsis and death. This normally takes longer than is the case with ruminants. Once lions have exhibited these symptoms, recovery virtually never occurs. In these case a "point epidemic" is probably taking place, and the people must be warned, if they are not yet aware of the situation! Remember, humans are also highly susceptible, and the disease is deadly. However, the organism is highly vulnerable to penicillin, and can be treated, provided symptoms have not yet exhibited themselves. We used to do this as a precautionary meassure, once there had been contact between humans and infected animals.

It is known that Anthrax occurs in the area, and rears its head periodically. In other words, it is endemic to the area and nature has adapted to it ecologically. I established that there a long time ago. Hope the new management is aware of this! The situation just needs to be monitored and seen to that it doesn't get out of hand, as is done in Kruger.

Thank you for the interest.