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By Hillary Keingana
SHEEMA; Five people have died and several others have been hospitalized in Nshungyezi, Kashozi Division, district following the consumption of meat from a cow suspected to have been infected with anthrax, district authorities have confirmed.
The District Resident District Commissioner, Sam Orikunda, said in a statement that the District Outbreak Disease Response Task Force is currently in session to coordinate the response after receiving reports from the affected community.
“Samples have been taken to government laboratories to confirm, but all signs point to a case of anthrax,” Mr. Orikunda said.
According to the RDC, the victims ate meat from a dead cow. Health teams are monitoring those who were admitted to hospital, while surveillance has been heightened in Nshungyezi and surrounding villages.
The outbreak has been complicated by resistance from some members of the community. Mr. Orikunda noted that residents of Nshungyezi initially tried to conceal information about the incident, citing a long-standing tradition of eating meat from animals that die.
“We are appealing to our people to avoid eating meat from dead animals and to only buy meat from gazetted slaughter places,” the RDC urged. “This is for the safety of everyone.”
Anthrax is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or by consuming contaminated animal products. Symptoms can be severe and the disease can be fatal if not treated promptly.
District health officials, together with veterinary and security teams, are conducting community sensitization in Kashozi Division. They are also tracing all people who may have handled or eaten the meat.The task force says it will release more details once laboratory results are returned from government facilities.
Residents with information about sick animals or anyone showing symptoms such as fever, sores, or difficulty breathing have been advised to report immediately to the nearest health facility or local authorities.
, https://mknewslink.com/5-dead-several-hospitalized-in-suspected-anthrax-outbreak-in-sheema-district/
