Epidemiology of Reported Animal Anthrax in North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia: Retrospective Study of Temporal, Seasonal and Spatial Patterns and Vaccination Coverage, 2020–2024

Anthrax is a highly fatal zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis and remains an important livestock and public health concern in Ethiopia. However, epidemiological information from routine surveillance in North Shewa Zone is limited. This study aimed to characterize the temporal, seasonal, spatial, and species distribution of reported animal anthrax and assess disease burden and vaccination coverage in North Shewa Zone from 2020 to 2024. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using Disease Outbreak and Vaccination Activity Report (DOVAR) data collected from January 2020 to December 2024. Data from 23 districts and 374 peasant associations were analyzed using descriptive statistics to assess outbreak occurrence, morbidity, mortality, case fatality rate (CFR), temporal and seasonal patterns, species distribution, and vaccination coverage. Cases were based on clinically suspected anthrax reported through routine surveillance. Eleven outbreaks were reported in eight districts, resulting in 89 cases and 48 deaths among 19,130 animals at risk. Overall morbidity, mortality, and CFR were 0.47%, 0.25%, and 53.9%, respectively. Outbreaks occurred in 2020, 2021, and 2024, with the highest occurrence in 2024 (54.5%). No outbreaks were reported in 2022 and 2023. Most cases (78.7%) occurred during the rainy seasons, with August recording the highest monthly occurrence (28.1%). Cattle represented the majority of cases (49.4%) and deaths (58.3%). Moretena-Jeru had the highest number of reported cases, while Menz-Lalo recorded the highest CFR. Outbreak-response vaccination achieved 81.1% coverage, whereas routine prophylactic vaccination covered only 30.15% of the target population. Animal anthrax remains a significant livestock health concern in North Shewa Zone, characterized by seasonal outbreaks and high fatality. Strengthening routine risk-based vaccination, surveillance, laboratory-supported diagnosis, timely reporting, and safe carcass disposal is recommended.