KABALE: Kabale District Local Government on Thursday evening received 19,200 doses of anthrax vaccine from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), following a suspected outbreak of the disease.
The District Communications Officer, Alex Byakatonda, confirmed the development, noting that the vaccines were received at the district headquarters by the Principal Assistant Secretary, District Production Officer, Senior Veterinary Officer, and a representative from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Byakatonda stated that the vaccines will be used to inoculate all healthy livestock in the affected areas to curb further spread of the disease.
The suspected outbreak was first reported on Tuesday in Kyanamira Sub-county, specifically in Muyumbu Village, Muyumbu Parish. So far, the disease is believed to have killed seven cows, two goats, and one sheep. Additionally, seven suspected human cases of anthrax caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis have been documented.
According to the Kabale District Health Office, the first human case began showing symptoms on April 1, 2025, with additional cases reported by April 6. Livestock deaths began earlier, with the first two cows reportedly dying on an unspecified date. Subsequent deaths occurred on March 22 (one cow), March 30 (one cow), March 31 (one cow), and April 1 (two cows).
Dr. Lynn Anyongire, the District Veterinary Officer, reported that the seven human cases involve men who had participated in slaughtering the infected animals. One of the men is currently receiving treatment at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital after presenting symptoms consistent with cutaneous anthrax.
Despite these developments, Byakatonda emphasized that the disease has not yet been officially confirmed. He said that samples have been collected and sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) for analysis, and results are pending.
CUE IN BYAKATONDA……ON VACCINES & ANTHRAX…….RR/ENG//
