Story by Obed Kankiriho
Kabale District Local Government has received 19,200 doses of anthrax vaccine from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in response to a suspected outbreak of the disease in Kyanamira Sub-county.
District Communications Officer Alex Byakatonda confirmed the arrival of the vaccines at the district headquarters, where they were received by senior officials including the Principal Assistant Secretary, District Production Officer, Senior Veterinary Officer, and a representative from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The vaccines will be administered to healthy livestock in the affected areas to prevent further spread, according to Byakatonda.
The outbreak, first reported on Tuesday in Muyumbu Village, has so far claimed the lives of seven cows, two goats, and one sheep.
Seven suspected human cases of anthrax—caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis—have also been recorded. The first human case showed symptoms on April 1, with more reported by April 6.
Dr. Lynn Anyongire, the District Veterinary Officer, revealed that all the human cases involve men who had slaughtered infected animals.
One individual is currently receiving treatment at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital with symptoms consistent with cutaneous anthrax.
Despite the alarming situation, Byakatonda noted that the outbreak has not yet been officially confirmed. Samples have been sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) for analysis, and results are awaited.
