Anthrax Epidemic Outbreak Confirmed in Amudat District

Steven Ariong
2 Min Read

Panic has gripped pastoralists in Amudat district in the Karamoja region following the confirmation of an anthrax outbreak in the district.

This was revealed by the Amudat district resident commissioner, Mr. George Owanyi, following a consultation meeting with scientists and health experts from the World Health Organization, FAO, AFI, and the District Technical Team from the Production Department on Monday morning.




Anthrax is an animal disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium. It mainly affects animals; humans can become infected through contact with an infected animal or by inhaling spores.




A person infected by anthrax experiences pain in the chest or muscles, skin blisters, dark scabs, small bumps, or ulcers.




Mr. Owanyi said 33 out of 100 laboratory tests on human blood samples drawn from Karita HCIII had turned out positive.

“So far, 12 persons with clinical signs of anthrax have been treated at the various health facilities in the district,” he said.

He added that the lab tests on samples carried out on animals from Southern Amudat sub-counties of Karita, Losidok, Lokales, Katabok only await the sign-off of results by the Commissioner of Animal Husbandry, but all indications and symptoms so far manifested confirm the prevalence of the disease in the district.




Mr. Owanyi urges members of the public to avoid buying/eating meat that has skipped the slaughter chain and to only buy meat from recognized and licensed butchers. Additionally, they should avoid dealing with private meat agents who transport meat during the night using motorcycles.

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