Authorities in Kazo District have confirmed an outbreak of Anthrax in Mirama village, Kazo sub-county. This has raised concerns, particularly among those reliant on selling animals and animal products for their livelihoods. John Baptist Asiimwe, the district production officer, revealed that out of the seven samples sent to Entebbe for testing, four returned positive for the Anthrax virus.
To contain the spread of the disease, Asiimwe outlined several measures. These include registering all meat handlers in the district, ensuring that they possess health certificates before handling meat, enforcing the requirement for cattle traders to have licenses issued by the Ministry of Animal Husbandry for buying and selling animals within the district, and conducting ring vaccination of all suspected animal species.
Asiimwe mentioned that they are coordinating with ministry officials to secure vaccines for the vaccination of all animals in the district. Rev. Mugisha Katugunda, the District Chairperson, emphasized efforts to sensitize the public about Anthrax disease. He warned against consuming meat from dead animals as a preventive measure.
Kazo now joins Ibanda, Mbarara, and Kiruhura as districts that have been affected by Anthrax, leading to quarantine measures being imposed to curb its spread. This Anthrax outbreak coincides with the cattle corridor’s struggle to contain Foot and Mouth disease, resulting in over five districts imposing quarantine measures to control its spread.
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-like bacteria producing potent toxins harmful to animals and humans. While ruminants may succumb rapidly with minimal signs, human symptoms typically begin with a flu-like illness and raised boil-like lesions on the skin.
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