Outbreak of Anthrax Associated with Handling and Eating Meat from a Cow, Uganda, 2018
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Date
2020
Authors
Kisaakye, Esther
Riolexus Ario, Alex
Bainomugisha, Kenneth
Cossaboom, Caitlin M. Ping Zhu
Lowe, David
Bulage, Lilian
Kadobera, Daniel
Sekamatte, Musa
Lubwama, Bernard
Tumusiime, Dan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Abstract
On April 20, 2018, the Kween District Health Office in
Kween District, Uganda reported 7 suspected cases of human
anthrax. A team from the Uganda Ministry of Health
and partners investigated and identified 49 cases, 3 confirmed
and 46 suspected; no deaths were reported. Multiple
exposures from handling the carcass of a cow that
had died suddenly were significantly associated with cutaneous
anthrax, whereas eating meat from that cow was associated
with gastrointestinal anthrax. Eating undercooked
meat was significantly associated with gastrointestinal anthrax,
but boiling the meat for >60 minutes was protective.
We recommended providing postexposure antimicrobial
prophylaxis for all exposed persons, vaccinating healthy
livestock in the area, educating farmers to safely dispose
of animal carcasses, and avoiding handling or eating meat
from livestock that died of unknown causes.
Description
Keywords
Anthrax, Meat, Cow, Uganda
Citation
Kisaakye, E., Ario, A. R., Bainomugisha, K., Cossaboom, C. M., Lowe, D., Bulage, L., ... & Zhu, B. P. (2020). Outbreak of anthrax associated with handling and eating meat from a cow, Uganda, 2018. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 26(12), 2799. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2612.191373