NEWS- Ambrose Mwesigye, the Kanungu District RDC, held a press conference on September 17, 2024, to announce a quarantine on all animals following the confirmation of an anthrax outbreak in cattle within the district. The quarantine applies to cows, goats, sheep, pigs, and their products until further notice.
RDC Mwesigye reported that 63 cows have died from the disease, 28 are currently sick, and one person has died, with another from Kihiihi receiving treatment. He emphasized that security forces have been briefed and are on high alert, with butchers and animal markets closed. Any violation of these directives will be dealt with severely.
Dr. Mutahunga Birungi, DHO Kanungu, provided background during the Task Force meeting on September 17, 2024. Dr. Tumwesigye Aloysius, the District Veterinary Officer, had previously raised concerns about cattle deaths in greater Kambuga Sub-County that began last month. Tests at the National Animal Diseases Diagnostics and Epidemiological Centre (NADDEC) in Entebbe confirmed clostridial infection in three out of five samples. Measures were taken, including cattle vaccination and advisories to bury carcasses and avoid consuming or slaughtering dead animals.
On September 9, 2024, Mburameizi Barracks HCIII reported a strange disease affecting herdsmen, butchers, and beef consumers.
Two men admitted to Mburameizi Barracks HCIII displayed symptoms after slaughtering a carcass on the night of September 1st and consuming it on September 2rd, with skin ulcers resembling those caused by anthrax both of whom had contact with dead cows.
On September 12, a male adult from Kambuga Sub-County, who had slaughtered a dead cow, died. Two other family members had skin lesions. Although clostridial infections can resemble Anthrax, the health department decided to treat all similar cases as anthrax until proven otherwise.
Anthrax is transmissible between humans and animals, with the bacteria living naturally in soil. Animals become infected by ingesting or inhaling spores from contaminated soil, plants, or water.
The incubation period for Anthrax ranges from 1-3 days but can extend up to 60 days in cases of inhalation anthrax.
Between 2017 and 2022, Uganda experienced 19 human anthrax outbreaks linked to handling or consuming meat from dead cows. Notably, there was a confirmed anthrax outbreak in Ibanda district in April 2023, followed by another in Kyotera district in November 2023.
The outbreak in Kyotera had a case fatality rate of 19%, attributed to delays in seeking healthcare. Common symptoms included skin swelling and itching, while less common symptoms were abdominal pain and a wound with a black center.
As of yesterday 17th/Sep, 28 cases have been reported in Kanungu, with symptoms distributed as follows: Kambuga T/C (8), Katete S/C (10), Bugongi S/C (7), Kihihi T/C (1), and Kambuga S/C (1).
Two deaths have been recorded: an adult male from Katojo Kambuga Sub-County on September 12, 2024, and a 31-year-old male from Rugari cell in Kambuga T/C on September 1, 2024. The current case fatality rate is 7%.
By midday on September 17, 2024, samples confirmed the presence of Anthrax, a serious disease caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacteria that primarily affects animals such as goats, sheep, pigs, and cattle.
Signs and Symptoms:
Cutaneous Anthrax:
Appears 2-5 days post-exposure as a pruritic papule that becomes an ulcer with a black eschar.
Oropharyngeal Anthrax:
Develops 2-7 days after ingestion, presenting with neck swelling, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing.
Intestinal Anthrax:
Develops 2-5 days after ingestion, presenting with abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Inhalational Anthrax:
Begins 1-3 days post-exposure, with fever, nonproductive cough, and potential rapid progression to respiratory failure.
Other Symptoms include a painless ulcer with a black necrotic center, severe breathing problems, shock, vomiting blood, or sudden unexplained death.
Cases should be treated for 7-10 days with Ciprofloxacin 500mg every 12 hours, Doxycycline 100mg every 12 hours, or Amoxicillin 1g every 8 hours. Severe cases should be referred to a HCIV or hospital.
Note: No consumption of meat or animal products such as milk is permitted. All animal markets and butcheries are closed, and animals should not be moved.
