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Rospotrebnadzor on Anthrax in Uganda

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda has been experiencing an outbreak of anthrax in 4 districts since February. There have been 83 known cases of the disease in humans without fatal outcomes. The vast majority of cases are cutaneous form of the disease, several cases of gastrointestinal tract involvement and one case with lung involvement.

A total of 35 dead farm animals (cattle) were registered on 16 private farms in the country, in 7 cases of which the diagnosis of anthrax was confirmed in the laboratory.

Material collected from humans is being studied at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).

The Ministry of Health and the Veterinary Service of the country are conducting joint activities to investigate the outbreak and are taking preventive and sanitary-anti-epidemic measures. About 600 people in the outbreak areas have been examined to detect the disease.

Since animal vaccination against anthrax is not controlled in Uganda, effective control of the disease is virtually non-existent. WHO recommends that the country develop a national strategy for anthrax control that would cover both the population and farm animals.

Rospotrebnadzor draws the attention of citizens and asks them to take this information into account when planning trips.

Source: trn-news.ru

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