Uganda: Anthrax outbreak in Queen Elizabeth NP continues, so far claiming 82 hippos, 9 buffaloes
An anthrax outbreak in Queen Elizabeth National Park located in western Uganda is still raging prompting the government to warn people living around the park to desist from eating game meat.
The chairman of the National Anthrax Task Force Dr Nicholas Kauta told journalists on Thursday that so far, 82 hippos and nine buffaloes have been confirmed dead following the outbreak in June. He said the most affected areas are those surrounding Kazinga Channel and lakes Edward and George.
As a national response, he said, the task force is implementing a multi-pronged response which includes undertaking a base line study to determine the extent of the outbreak and affected species through carrying out carcass management, marine and terrestrial patrols and sample analysis.
He warned people around the area not to graze animals in the park, report all sicknesses and deaths in wild and domestic animals to authorities and not to consume meat from sick and dead animals.