Anthrax outbreak in Uganda kills 17 in November

At least 17 people have died in an anthrax outbreak in southern Uganda in November.

This was disclosed by a local official on Thursday, saying the situation was “under control”.

Anthrax is spread through a bacterium that is encased in a tough, rod-shaped shell.

The spores exist naturally in the soil and commonly infect livestock that ingest or inhale them while grazing.

Humans can become infected from contact by breathing in the spores, eating contaminated food, or through cuts in the skin, for instance by handling diseased animals.

The Ugandan outbreak occurred in Kyotera district, around 180 kilometres (112 miles) from the capital, Kampala, where 17 people died in November, the district’s health official Edward Muwanga told AFP.

Muwanga said that they were “suspected to have eaten meat from the farm where the animals had contracted anthrax”.

“We are working with teams from the Ministry of Health headquarters in Kampala and the World Health Organization who are on the ground to help in containing the situation and it is under control,” Muwanga said.

AFP

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]