Anthrax kills three South Sudanese in northwest Uganda

Three South Sudan nationals have died of the deadly anthrax in northwestern Uganda, state media reported Monday.

The first two deaths occurred at Arua Hospital and one at Koboko Health Centre IV in Koboko district bordering South Sudan, health officials said.

Darlington Akusa, a medical officer at Arua Regional Referral Hospital was quoted by state owned New Vision saying the patients contracted the disease from South Sudan but crossed into Uganda in search of better health services.

It is suspected that patients with gastrointestinal anthrax get it from contaminated milk or meat.

The medical officer cautioned people not to eat wild animals while the health ministry has advised people in the affected area to report to health centers if they develop symptoms associated with anthrax.

"An outbreak in South Sudan definitely puts our animal population at risk due to epidemiological location," said Willy Nguma, the Arua district veterinary officer.

"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," he said.

The disease is often fatal unless treated early.

An outbreak of anthrax in Queen Elizabeth National Park killed 200 hippos between August and October in 2004, also leaving those who ate the carcasses dead.

Anthrax affects wild and domestic animals and humans exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals. Signs and symptoms usually occur within seven days after exposure and vary depending on how disease was contracted. Endi