Anthrax Bio-surveillance of Livestock in Arua District, Uganda, 2017-2018
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Date
2017
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Abstract
Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, is a widespread zoonotic disease with many human cases, especially in
developing countries. Even with its global distribution, anthrax is a neglected disease with scarce information
about its actual impact on the community level. Due to the ecological dynamics of anthrax transmission at the
wildlife-livestock interface, the Sub-Saharan Africa region becomes a high-risk zone for maintaining and
acquiring the disease. In this regard, some subregions of Uganda are endemic to anthrax with regular seasonal
trends. However, there is scarce data about anthrax outbreaks in Uganda. Here, we confirmed the presence of
B. anthracis in several livestock samples after a suspected anthrax outbreak among livestock and humans in
Arua District. Additionally, we explored the potential risk factors of anthrax through a survey within the
community kraals. We provide evidence that the most affected livestock species during the Arua outbreak
were cattle (86%) compared to the rest of the livestock species present in the area. Moreover, the farmers’
education level and the affection of people in the village were the most critical factors determining the
disease’s knowledge and awareness. Consequently, the lack of understanding of the ecology of anthrax may
contribute to the spread of the infection between livestock and humans, and it is critical to reducing the
presence and persistence of the B. anthracis spores in the environment. Finally, we discuss the increasingly
recognized necessity to strengthen global capacity using a One Health approach to prevent, detect, control,
and respond to public threats in Uganda
Description
Keywords
Bacillus anthracis, Detection, One Health, Sub-Saharan Africa region, Zoonosis, Cattle
Citation
Omodo, M., Gardela, J., Namatovu, A., Okurut, R. A., Esau, M., Acham, M., ... & Gonzalez, J. P. (2017). Anthrax Bio-Surveillance of Livestock in Arua District, Uganda, 2017-2018.