A 36-year-old man died while 36 locals were treated at a hospital after consuming meat suspected to have been infected by anthrax in Mathangwe village, Igoji, Meru County.
This is the second death to happen in the area amid fears of an outbreak of anthrax.
Another man died on April 16 in neighbouring Maua area while 222 other people were treated and discharged from hospitals, officials said.
The latest incident was reported on April 19 in Gikui village where locals who had consumed meat from a cow complained of dizziness, headaches and stomach aches.
Officials at the Kanyakine Sub County Hospital said they attended to 23 adults and 12 juveniles who were discharged while one was admitted in serious condition and in isolation.
The officials said one Amos Gikunda, 36 died at the facility after they ate the meat between April 15 and 16, 2026.
They started complaining on April 18 before being advised to seek medical attention.
An alarm was raised in the village on Sunday and Monday calling on locals to seek medical attention.
They were also advised against consuming un-inspected meat.
It is believed the cow had died out of anthrax and locals decided to consume the meat.
Local butcheries were put on notice and warned against slaughtering and selling meat without inspection from veterinary officials in the area.
More personnel were sent to the villages to conduct civic education on the disease, officials said.
They told locals to bury all carcasses of cows that die out of sickness and revealed there was an outbreak of anthrax in the area.
Anthrax is a serious disease that is usually caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis bacteria.
The bacteria are found naturally in soil around the world and often affect livestock and wild animals.
People usually get sick if they come in contact with anthrax spores in infected animals or contaminated animal products.
Infection typically occurs by contact with the skin, inhalation, or intestinal absorption.
The skin form presents with a small blister with surrounding swelling that often turns into a painless ulcer with a black center.
The intestinal form presents with diarrhea (which may contain blood), abdominal pains, nausea, and vomiting.
Immunizing animals against anthrax is recommended in areas where previous infections have occurred.
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