Background: Although anthrax occurs globally, the burden of the disease remains particularly high in Africa. Furthermore, the disease anthrax has significant public health and economic implications. However, sufficient attention has not been given to the geographic distribution of anthrax outbreaks and cases in Lesotho. Therefore, this study investigates the spatial patterns of anthrax outbreaks and cases among livestock in Lesotho from 2005 to 2016. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted to realise the objectives of this study using retrospective data of anthrax outbreaks and cases recorded by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) between 2005 and 2016. Anthrax outbreaks were geo-coded at village level and aggregated at district level. Proportions and 95% CI of anthrax outbreaks and cases by village and district were calculated. Cartographic maps displaying the distribution of anthrax outbreaks and cases at village and district level were constructed. Results: A total of 38 outbreaks were reported over the study period, and they were clustered in the Lowlands districts of Lesotho. Most outbreaks (52.6%, 20/38) in livestock were reported in the Maseru district. The Leribe district reported the lowest proportions of outbreaks (5.3%, 2/38) and cases (0.6%, 3/526). At the village level, 18% (7/38) of outbreaks were in Maseru Urban, followed by Ratau (16%, 6/38) and Mofoka (13%, 5/38). The Maseru district reported the highest (1.3%, 369/29,070) proportion of cases followed by Mafeteng (0.9%, 73/8530). The village with the most cases was Kolo (10.5%, 21/200), followed by Thaba-Chitja (7.7%, 33/430). Conclusion: Anthrax outbreaks and cases exclusively occur in the Lowlands districts of Lesotho, with villages such as Mahobong, Pitseng, Kolo, and Thaba-Chitja having a higher risk of anthrax disease. Findings of the present study have serious public health implications in light of the fact that between 2003 and 2008 Lesotho’s main abattoir was closed; hence, most of the meat in Lesotho was imported and/or sourced from the informal slaughter facilities. Much larger studies are needed to further investigate factors contributing to spatial disparities in anthrax outbreaks and cases observed in this study. Findings of the present study can be used to guide the formulation of a policy on prevention and control of anthrax in Lesotho.

中文翻译：

---

莱索托2005-2016年炭疽暴发的空间格局和畜牧病例

背景：尽管炭疽病是全球性的，但非洲的疾病负担仍然特别高。此外，该炭疽病对公众健康和经济都有重要影响。但是，莱索托的炭疽暴发和病例的地理分布尚未得到足够的重视。因此，本研究调查了2005年至2016年莱索托牲畜中炭疽暴发和病例的空间格局。方法：采用横断面研究设计，利用回顾性炭疽暴发和病例记录数据来实现本研究的目标。畜牧服务部（DLS）在2005年至2016年之间。炭疽热暴发在村庄一级进行了地理编码，并在地区一级进行了汇总。计算了按村和地区划分的炭疽暴发比例和病例的95％CI。绘制了显示村庄和地区一级炭疽暴发和病例分布的地图。结果：在研究期间共报告了38起暴发，这些暴发集中在莱索托的低地地区。在马塞卢地区报告了大多数牲畜暴发（52.6％，20/38）。Leribe地区报告的暴发率最低（5.3％，2/38）和病例（0.6％，3/526）。在村庄一级，在Maseru Urban中爆发率为18％（7/38），其次是Ratau（16％，6/38）和Mofoka（13％，5/38）。马塞卢地区报告的案件比例最高（1.3％，369 / 29,070），其次是马菲登（0.9％，73/8530）。病例最多的村庄是科洛（10.5％，21/200），其次是塔巴-奇贾（Thaba-Chitja）（7.7％，33/430）。结论：炭疽病暴发和病例仅发生在莱索托的低地地区，如Mahobong，Pitseng，Kolo和Thaba-Chitja等村庄的炭疽病风险更高。鉴于莱索托的主要屠宰场在2003年至2008年之间关闭，这一研究结果对公共卫生产生了严重影响。因此，莱索托的大部分肉类是从非正式的屠宰场进口和/或采购的。需要进行更大的研究以进一步调查导致炭疽暴发和本研究中观察到的病例的空间差异的因素。本研究的结果可用于指导莱索托预防和控制炭疽的政策的制定。鉴于莱索托的主要屠宰场在2003年至2008年之间关闭，这一研究结果对公共卫生产生了严重影响。因此，莱索托的大部分肉类是从非正式的屠宰场进口和/或采购的。需要进行更大的研究以进一步调查导致炭疽暴发和本研究中观察到的病例的空间差异的因素。本研究的结果可用于指导莱索托预防和控制炭疽的政策的制定。鉴于莱索托的主要屠宰场在2003年至2008年之间关闭，这一研究结果对公共卫生产生了严重影响。因此，莱索托的大部分肉类是从非正式的屠宰场进口和/或采购的。需要进行更大的研究以进一步调查导致炭疽暴发和本研究中观察到的病例的空间差异的因素。本研究的结果可用于指导莱索托预防和控制炭疽的政策的制定。需要进行更大的研究以进一步调查导致炭疽暴发和本研究中观察到的病例的空间差异的因素。本研究的结果可用于指导莱索托预防和控制炭疽的政策的制定。需要进行更大的研究以进一步调查导致炭疽暴发和本研究中观察到的病例的空间差异的因素。本研究的结果可用于指导莱索托预防和控制炭疽的政策的制定。