By Mugula Dan
Anthrax outbreak in Ssembabule District has confirmed the deaths of two people and several cattle.
The disease has been detected in Lwemiyaga District and it is believed that the cattle that brought it came from Kazo district where two people have also been confirmed to have died of the disease.
Dr. A.S. Ismail Asiimwe, Deputy Head of One Health Technical Lead, has warned people to avoid dead or improperly slaughtered beef.
Dr Asiimwe said the two dead people had eaten dead beef, while the dead cows showed all signs of anthrax, but said they had samples taken to machines for further testing to confirm the disease.
Dr Angello Ssali, head of the Sembabule Veterinary Department, said the disease is mostly transmitted from animal to human, especially when a person eats only dead beef.
Sembabule district is a livestock district and is very prone to diseases, having just come out of a 3-year quarantine due to Kalusu disease and now Anthrax has invaded them.