Zambia is grappling with a public health scare after the death of an estimated 400 dogs, believed to have succumbed to aflatoxin poisoning from contaminated maize. The country’s health minister, Elijah Muchima, has raised alarms about the potential threat to human health, warning that the risk extends beyond pets.
Health officials discovered that nearly half of the 25 maize samples taken from milling companies across the nation contained dangerously high levels of aflatoxins, a toxic substance produced by certain fungi. Aflatoxins are known to cause liver cancer in humans, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Zambia, where maize is the staple food, faces an unprecedented crisis. “The test results are of great concern due to the several health implications for the population,” Mr. Muchima stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The scare began when Diamond TV, a Zambian broadcaster, reported the deaths of dozens of dogs, prompting an investigation into the country’s maize supply. Authorities subsequently tested products from 10 milling companies that produce maize-based dog food and maize meal, which is widely consumed by humans.
Although no human fatalities have been reported so far, the Zambia National Public Health Institute is closely monitoring the situation, assessing whether the contaminated maize has affected the general public.
In response to the findings, the government has issued recall orders for the “affected batches” of maize meal and seized products from implicated companies. However, Mr. Muchima did not disclose the names of the companies or specific brands involved, sparking public frustration.
Before the government’s intervention, Farmfeed, a dog-food processing company, had already recalled its products after being linked to the outbreak.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Mr. Muchima attributed the heightened presence of aflatoxins to climate change and the recent drought that has devastated much of southern Africa, including Zambia. The drought has severely damaged crops, leaving the country’s maize supply critically low.
Given that maize provides around 60% of the population’s daily calorie intake, the contamination has caused widespread concern. “Govt says 400 dogs have died due to toxins in some brands of [maize] meal. I’m a victim too. I lost over 6 big dogs over a period of 1 week,” tweeted Sunday Chanda, an opposition member of parliament.
Public anxiety has been further fueled by the government’s reluctance to name the contaminated products. “We have the right to know what we’re feeding our families,” one Zambian wrote on social media.
The Millers Association of Zambia, representing milling companies, assured the public that it is working diligently to resolve the issue and safeguard consumer health. “We are still investigating the source of this contaminated grain and have heightened our surveillance of the product on the market,” said Andrew Chintala, the association’s president.
This incident marks the first time Zambia has faced such a significant aflatoxin outbreak, prompting the government to expand its surveillance nationwide and increase sampling efforts. Mr. Muchima emphasized that these measures are essential to prevent further contamination and protect public health.