Three South Sudan nationals have died of the anthrax virus in Uganda’s Koboko district, health officials said.
Darlington Akusa, a medical officer at Arua Regional Referral Hospital said the victims contracted the disease in South Sudan but died in Uganda after crossing in search of better health services, the New Vision reported.
Humans can contract anthrax from contaminated milk or meat. The disease can lead to large die-offs of wild or domestic animals.
“An outbreak in South Sudan definitely puts our animal population at risk due to epidemiological location,” said Willy Nguma, the Arua district veterinary officer.
Health officials say people should avoid eating wild animals and report to health centers if they develop symptoms. Humans can contract the disease from animals including cattle if they are exposed to infected tissue.
“There should be strict quarantine on animals moving from South Sudan to Uganda and people should be on the lookout. Don’t eat meat of animals that die of anthrax and report cases promptly,” Nguma said.