Mapping high probability area for the Bacillus anthracis occurrence in wildlife protected area, South Omo, Ethiopia

Abstract Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by a spore-forming gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus anthracis (BA), in which soil is the primary reservoir. The geographic distribution of the disease appears to be restricted by a combination of climatic and environmental conditions. Among the top five zoonotic diseases, Anthrax is the second priority zoonosis in Ethiopia. Increased anthropogenic factors inside wildlife protected areas may worsen the spillover of the disease from domestic animals to wildlife. Consequently, the prediction of the environmental suitability of BA spores to locate a high-risk area is urgent. Here we identified a potentially suitable habitat for BA spores survival and a high-risk area for appropriate control measures. Our result revealed that a relatively largest segment of Omo National Park located on the western side and more than half of the total area of Mago National Park bordering Hamer, Bena Tsamay, and south Ari were categorized under a high-risk area for the anthrax occurrence in the current situation. Therefore, the findings of this study provide the priority area to focus and allocating resources for effective surveillance, prevention, and control of anthrax before it cause devastating effect on wildlife.