The authorities in Kanungu district have temporarily banned the movement and sale of livestock and consumption of meat from cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and their products following an outbreak of anthrax.
According to Ambrose Mwesigye, the chairperson of the district task force and RDC for Kanungu, veterinary and human health teams are currently working to contain the situation.
The ban comes in response to livestock farmers in Kambuga, Bugonji, Katete, and Nyakinoni reporting cattle deaths of 63 cows, with 28 currently sick with a suspected disease that exhibited clostridial-like symptoms. He said samples were collected and sent to government laboratories for testing.
RDC Mwesigye also advised communities to bury carcasses and avoid consuming meat from dead animals, which some did not adhere to and developed symptoms consistent with anthrax.
“Tests conducted on samples from the infected individuals revealed that two people, including the deceased, tested positive for anthrax. Another patient with similar symptoms died at Kambuga Hospital on Tuesday evening, raising the death toll to three, with 30 cumulative suspected infections,” RDC Mwesigye said.
In response, all butchers, animal traders, and animal markets have been ordered to close immediately, and the quarantine will remain in effect until further notice.
The security and health teams have intensified surveillance measures both within the district and at cross-border areas to prevent further spread.
