Anthrax suspected in Ibanda district as five people are hospitalised

IBANDA, November 9, 2023 – Five people are hospitalised in Ibanda district after eating the meat of a carcass suspected to be infected with anthrax.

Godard Serushuba, the chairperson LCI Rugaaga 4 Cell said the victims ate meat that was sold at a discount price and started vomiting and developing skin sores before they were rushed to the hospital.

“After realising that people who had eaten the meat of dead cows were developing skin rashes, we rushed them to the nearest health centre,” Serushuba said.

The sick are from the villages of Rugaaga I and II, Rwensambya both in Keihangara Sub-county, Ibanda South.

According to Vincent Mugisha, the Ibanda District Surveillance Officer, they received information from the in-charge of Kikyenkye Health Centre III about two people presenting symptoms of anthrax.

“The outbreak is linked to infected meat that was sold at a certain butcher at a discount price compared to the normal market price of meat in the area,” he said.

Mugisha added that three more cases were reported at Keihagara Health Centre IV presenting similar symptoms after eating meat of a dead cow.

He said one can get anthrax after contaminating a diseased animal. “Touching a contaminated animal, products or consuming uncooked meat of infected animals or intentional release of spores exposes one to anthrax which these five did by eating the suspected meat,” he said.

He warned the public to stop eating meat of animals that have died of unknown causes.

“This habit of eating dead animals should stop. A person should only eat meat of an animal which has been inspected before slaughter and they should buy meat from recognised outlets,” he said, adding that such animal diseases like anthrax can end a person’s life.

Dr. Hilary Arinaitwe, the Ibanda District Veterinary Officer said that some cases were reported to his offices and samples of meat suspected to be infected with anthrax were collected and sent to Uganda Virus Research Institute for testing .

“Some cases were reported yesterday, and samples were taken to Entebbe so we are waiting for the results,” Arinaitwe said.

He said  animal diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease [FMD] have escalated in the neighbouring Kiruhura district where farmers graze in Lake Mburo National Park thus ensuring biosecurity in cattle markets and farms to contain the disease.

“FMD is a trans-boundary disease and Ibanda being an immediate district to Kiruhura we must ensure surveillance to contain further spread” he said adding that, my veterinary officers are on ground sensitising the public against eating meat of animals that have died on their own.

He appealed to all livestock farmers in the district to report any suspected cases of animal diseases as early as possible.

He added: “If farmers fail to comply with us, then we are going to enforce quarantine and they will not like it, especially that the festive season is drawing nearer.”

https://thecooperator.news/ibanda-municipality-seeks-shs-4-5bln-to-work-on-dangerous-gullies/

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