Sheema Institutes Quarantine Over Suspected Anthrax Outbreak

Sheema District has instituted a quarantine over suspected anthrax disease. 

The decision followed the death of five people, with several others hospitalized after eating beef from a cow suspected to have been infected with anthrax.

The deceased and hospitalized are residents of three villages of Kiyuuya and Nshungyezi I & II, in Kashozi Division, Sheema Municipality.

Sam Orikunda, the Deputy District Resident District Commissioner, says they have tasked the District Outbreak Disease Response Task Force to coordinate the response after receiving reports from the affected community.

Orikunda says the victims ate meat from a dead cow on Sunday, presented with signs and symptoms of Anthrax on Monday, got admitted to Kitagata Hospital, where some died.

He narrates that the outbreak was made complicated by resistance from some members of the community who initially tried to conceal information, citing a long-standing tradition of eating meat from animals that die.

Jane Muhindo, the District Resident Commissioner and Chairperson of the Outbreak Disease Response Task Force, says they have agreed to put a Quarantine on Kashozi Division and suspend the roasting of meat in the areas neighboring the division.

Johnson Akakwatsa, the Sheema District Assistant Health Officer, says the deaths of the five people were recorded in May and June, and as they investigated, they discovered that they had died of suspected Anthrax.

He says that the task force that comprises health officials, veterinary and security teams is tracing all people who may have handled or eaten the suspected meat of the dead cow and also conducting community sensitization in Kashozi Division. 

He adds that they have sent samples to Entebbe for further investigations.

Anthrax is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or by consuming contaminated animal products. Symptoms such as fever, sores, or difficulty breathing can be severe, and the disease can be deadly if not treated promptly.