AMOS K
Residents in Rubaare Sub-County, Ntungamo District, have been cautioned against consuming meat from untreated animals or animals that have died under unclear circumstances during this festive season.
Tindimwebwa Coleb, the LC3 Chairperson of Rubaare Sub-County, confirmed an outbreak of anthrax in neighboring sub-counties. He assured residents that most of the animals slaughtered today had been inspected by qualified personnel to ensure public health and safety.
Regarding security during the festive season, Tindimwebwa revealed plans for continuous patrols starting immediately and lasting through the holiday period. These patrols will involve police and other responsible authorities to ensure residents in Rubaare have a safe festive season. He emphasized the importance of preparing for responsibilities in the coming year, such as paying school fees and meeting other household needs.
Tindimwebwa also advised residents to avoid staying out late, warning that criminal activities like theft and violence are common during this period.
Rogers Mbabazi, the veterinary officer for Rubaare Sub-County, told our reporter that an ongoing exercise to inspect the health of animals to be slaughtered was underway. The inspections, which started on December 23rd, began with animals owned by local groups (“ebigombe”) to manage the workload effectively, as Rubaare is a relatively large area.
Mbabazi urged residents to remain vigilant and purchase meat only from animals inspected by qualified personnel. He acknowledged the presence of anthrax in Rubaare, which can affect both humans and animals, posing significant health risks if infected meat is consumed. However, he clarified that no cases of anthrax have been reported in Rubaare so far.
