NICHOLAS A
Authorities in Rukungiri district have stepped up efforts to contain a deadly anthrax-like disease that has reportedly claimed four lives in Nyabushenyi parish. The victims are said to have consumed meat from infected cattle, prompting an urgent response from the district veterinary department.
In a bid to curb further spread of the disease and protect both human and animal lives, a quarantine has been declared, restricting the movement of livestock in the affected area. Officials say the move is crucial in limiting contact between healthy and infected animals, and in preventing the sale and consumption of contaminated meat.
The district leadership has called for public cooperation, urging residents to avoid eating meat from dead animals and to follow all guidelines issued by the veterinary and health departments. While vaccination of animals is yet to begin, plans are underway to roll out the exercise as an additional preventive measure.
Authorities maintain that the quarantine and other restrictions are not meant to hurt local business, but are life-saving interventions aimed at containing the outbreak and preventing further tragedy.
