Wed Sep 18 18:46:57 UTC 2024: ## Anthrax Outbreak Sparks Quarantine in Kanungu District, Uganda
Kanungu District in Uganda has been placed under quarantine following the confirmation of an anthrax outbreak. The disease, which has claimed the lives of 63 cattle and one human, prompted the District Resident Commissioner, Ambrose Mwesigye, to announce the movement restriction for livestock and their products.
Anthrax, a highly contagious disease, can be spread through contaminated soil, water, or plants and affects both animals and humans. The incubation period for anthrax varies, ranging from one to three days, but can extend up to 60 days for inhalational anthrax.
The quarantine, effective immediately, encompasses cows, goats, sheep, pigs, and their products. Security forces are enforcing the closure of animal markets and butcheries, and any violation of the quarantine will be met with severe consequences.
The outbreak began in Kambuga Sub-County last month, prompting laboratory tests at the National Animal Diseases Diagnostics and Epidemiological Centre (NADDEC) in Entebbe. The tests confirmed the presence of Bacillus anthracis, the bacteria responsible for anthrax, in three out of five cattle samples submitted.
Health authorities have launched a vaccination campaign for cattle and issued advisories urging residents to bury carcasses and avoid consuming or slaughtering dead animals.
The first human cases were reported on September 9 at Mburameizi Barracks Health Center III, where two men who had consumed meat from a dead cow exhibited symptoms consistent with anthrax. Sadly, a man from Kambuga Sub-County died on September 12 after slaughtering a dead cow, and two family members also presented with skin lesions.
As of September 17, 2024, Kanungu District has recorded 28 human anthrax cases, resulting in two deaths. The district health officer, Dr. Mutahunga Birungi, highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that Uganda has experienced 19 anthrax outbreaks in humans between 2017 and 2022.
This recent outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by anthrax and emphasizes the importance of timely detection, preventative measures, and strict adherence to quarantine protocols to prevent further spread.
First Piper 