Volume 8 | Issue - 7
Volume 8 | Issue - 7
Volume 8 | Issue - 6
Volume 8 | Issue - 6
Volume 8 | Issue - 6
Aims: Anthrax is an important zoonotic disease in Africa, with serious consequences for animal and human health, as well as considerable socio economic repercussions. It is caused by a spore-forming bacterium (Bacillus anthracis) and manifests itself in the form of intermittent and deadly epidemics. In Togo, information on the factors influencing its ecology and geographical distribution is very poorly documented, making public health intervention difficult. This study aims to map areas prone to infestation and identify the climate conditions that influence the establishment and spread of anthrax in Togo. Methodology: A set of 19 environmental variables and occurrence data from the field and the GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) database were modeled using the maximum entropy (Maxent) method. The model proved to be effective (AUC = 0.924, p <0.001). The Jackknife test was used to determine the environmental factors that influence the spread of anthrax. Results: The results show that under current climatic conditions, 21% of Togo's surface area is a no-go zone, conducive to the spread of anthrax. These dangerous areas are concentrated in the dry savannahs in the north of the country. Seasonal temperatures (33.6 %), precipitation in the driest month (23.7 %), precipitation in the coldest month (18 %), total annual precipitation (8.8 %) and average annual temperatures (5.3 %) are the environmental variables that determine the establishment and spread of anthrax. The future scenario predicts a sharp decrease (16.6 %) in suitable areas in the north and a slight expansion towards the center region. Conclusion: These results highlight the need to rethink anthrax management policy in Togo, integrating the priority areas identified into national climate change plans