Kanungu Registers Five Fresh Cases of Anthrax Disease

Kanungu district has registered five fresh cases of anthrax disease.

Gad Rugaaju Ahimbisibwe, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner told our reporter on Saturday that the victims are from Kayenje village in Nyamirama sub-county.  According to Rugaaju, the victims on Tuesday this week ate meat from a cow's carcass. The carcass was slaughtered by Shaban Rusezera, village LC1 chairman.  

Rugaaju says that later, they started showing signs of the disease and went to Kihihi Health Centre IV for medication. Rugaaju says that when their samples were tested, they were found positive for anthrax.   

Rugaaju accused residents of being defiant and eating dead livestock despite several warnings issued by the authorities.  Rugaaju adds that authorities will continue sensitizing the public not to tamper with the carcasses of livestock but instead inform relevant authorities for proper burial.

The disease has killed four people since it was confirmed in the district in September. The disease has also killed more than 100 animals.

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which produces potent toxins harmful to both animals and humans. Ruminants like cows, goats, and sheep may die rapidly with minimal signs of infection, while humans initially experience flu-like symptoms and raised boil-like skin lesions.