Further progress in understanding anthrax in the Etosha National Park

Abstract

Culture and serological results obtained during a 5-week field study on anthrax in the Etosha National Park are presented. With one exception - a water sample from a natural fountain - Bacillus anthracis was only isolated from animal specimens or environmental samples associated with animals known to have or suspected of having died of anthrax and no environmental reservoir for the bacterium could be identified. In laboratory tests, vegetative forms of B. anthracis inoculated into water samples declined rapidly in number and spore forms showed no inclination to germinate.