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The Ministry of Health has dispatched a team to Ibanda district to carry out an entomological investigation following an anthrax case.

According to the district surveillance officer, Vincent Mugisha, five of the six samples sent to the Uganda Virus Research Institute Arua for testing last week tested positive for anthrax.

“The bacterial disease is present in the district. So, we urge the public, especially residents of Keihangara to be extra careful and stop consuming meat of dead animals,” Mugisha said in an interview at the district health offices on Wednesday November 15, 2023.

Seven residents from Rugaaga I and Rugaaga IV villages in Keihangara sub-county, Ibanda South County were last week hospitalised at Uganda Martyrs Ibanda Hospital Kagongo over suspected anthrax infection.

Francis Tumwine, from Rugaaga I, is one of the people treated for anthrax at the hospital. (Credit: Stephen Nuwagira)

All of them had presented with signs and symptoms common with anthrax infection, including boils, wounds, and swelling of different parts of the upper body, especially the hands.

The patients were, however, discharged from the hospital over the weekend after undergoing treatment for the bacterial infection, Mugisha said adding that they are currently being monitored from their homes.   

Anthrax

Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a type of gram-positive, spore-forming bacteria. It is an infection of animal origin (also known as a zoonotic infection).

The bacteria are capable of lying dormant in the form of spores in carcasses and burial grounds of infected animals.

Annually 2,000 to 20,000 cases of anthrax are seen around the world. Several regions in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia have frequent outbreaks of infection.

The infection occurs in humans who come in contact with infected animals or their carcasses or animal products. These animal products include "hair, wool, hides, bones," the authors wrote. The infection is also spread by breathing in spores of the bacteria.