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Article History

Received: 2 January 2020

Accepted: 19 January 2021

First Online: 5 February 2021

Ethics approval and consent to participate

: We obtained administrative permission to conduct the study from the Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Makoni District Medical Officer, local headman, and councillor. The study was ethically approved by the Health Studies Office within the Ministry of Health and Child Care, which coordinate the Zimbabwe Field Epidemiology Training Programme. Prior to data collection, the aim and objectives of the study were explained to the participants. We obtained written consent from every participant 16 years and above before enrollment into the study. When we set out for field outbreak investigation, we did not anticipate meeting minors (less than 16 years) with anthrax, so we did not prepare written assent documents. Whilst in the field, we requested for permission to use verbal assent from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Health Studies Offices and the request was approved. Assent for participants below 18 years of age was obtained by verbal discussion with the minor about the study depending on the age and the level of understanding in addition to verbal consent from the parent or guardian. No names were included in the data collection documents, and confidentiality was assured and maintained.

: Not applicable.

: The authors have no competing interests.