KIGEZI– Kanungu Resident District Commissioner Ambrose Mwesigye Amanyire has issued a stern warning to the public who ignored the dangers of the Anthrax disease and continued to slaughter and consume meat despite a ban following the outbreak of the disease.
RDC Meesigye Amanyire emphasized that Anthrax is real and dangerous and affects livestock which affects cows, goats, pigs, and humans, has been on the rise in the district and while chairing the District Anthrax Task Force meeting to assess the progress in controlling the outbreak, it was noted that there is increase in cases.
“We are still seeing people slaughtering cows, pigs, and goats, and as a result, the cases of anthrax are increasing and spreading to new areas,” Mwesigye Amanyire said.
He however reassured the public that authorities are working diligently to contain the outbreak through sensitization campaigns on social media, community gatherings, radio, and other media outlets and also highlighted the importance of vaccination and the strict enforcement of the ban on consuming livestock products.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to inform and sensitize your neighbors, friends, and relatives about the dangers of anthrax. This issue requires collective action. Please talk about it at burials, parties—wherever you have an audience. Don’t wait for political leaders to act; we can curb this disease together,” He urged.
The Kanungu Deputy RDC Gad Ahimbisibwe Rugaju however said that there is a reported case involving a 52-year-old woman, identified as Ruth Kyitariboona, a resident of Karukondo Village, Nyakashure Parish in Nyamirama Sub-County, who showed signs of Anthrax, and her family admitted to consuming milk from their cows, but sadly, she has since passed on and was buried by a medical team from Nyamirama Health Centre III.
It is reported that samples have been collected for further investigation, including tests for both anthrax and viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF), since her son is also reportedly unwell.
Ahimbisibwe Rugaju also mentioned another case in Kanyantorogo Town Council, where a man was admitted to Kihiihi Health Centre IV after consuming meat from a dead animal he had purchased in Kambuga and urged residents of Kanyantorogo Subcounty to be vigilant and report any suspected cases of Anthrax.
“If you want to understand how dangerous this disease is, look at the photos of anthrax patients taken just yesterday,” He added.
WHAT EXPERTS SAY:
Kanungu District Health Officer Dr Birungi Mutahunga revealed that epidemiologists from the Ministry of Health have arrived in Kanungu to evaluate the situation and identified hotspot areas for anthrax as Kabuga Sub-County, Nyakabungo Sub-County, Kanungu Town Council, Nyamirama, and Bugongi Sub-County.
Dr Birungi Mutahunga said that so far, 100 cows and three people have died from anthrax, and over 6,000 animals have been vaccinated.
Kanungu District Police Commander Titus Kutosi assured the public that security teams are actively enforcing the ban on the slaughter and consumption of livestock and the Police have already arrested a butcher Omukyepatiko Trading Center for violating the ban by slaughtering cows.
