BARD AI
JF-Expert Member
- Jul 24, 2018
- 3,376
- 8,118
Takriban Watu 1,100 wameripotiwa kuambukizwa na Vimelea wa Ugonjwa wa #Kimeta unaosababishwa na Wanyama kama Ng'ombe, Kondoo na Mbuzi. kwa mujibu wa Shirika la Afya Duniani (WHO) hadi sasa Watu 20 wamepoteza maisha katika Nchi za Malawi, #Kenya, Uganda, Zambia na Zimbabwe.
Hata hivyo, kwa mujibu wa #WHO, nchi zilizobainika kuwa na maambukizi hayo kuna sababu tofauti za maambukizi ikiwemo Mabadiliko ya Hali ya Hewa, Hali Mbaya ya Chakula pamoja Mgusano wa Watu na Wanyama au Matumizi ya Nyama iliyoathirika.
#Uganda imetajwa kuwa na idadi kubwa ya Vifo vinavyofikia 17 hadi sasa ambapo Serikali imechukua hatua ya kuzua biashara ya Nyama ili kukabiliana usambaaji wa maambukizi.
============
Five countries in East and Southern Africa are in the middle of outbreaks of the anthrax disease, with more than 1,100 suspected cases and 20 deaths this year, the World Health Organization said Monday.
A total of 1,166 suspected cases had been reported in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Thirty-seven cases had been confirmed by laboratory tests, WHO said. It said the five countries have seasonal outbreaks every year, but Zambia was experiencing its worst since 2011 and Malawi reported its first human case this year. Uganda had reported 13 deaths.
Anthrax usually affects livestock like cattle, sheep and goats, as well as wild herbivores. Humans can be infected if they are exposed to animals or contaminated animal products. Anthrax isn't generally considered to be contagious between humans, although there have been rare cases of person-to-person transmission, WHO says.
Anthrax is caused by spore-forming bacteria and is sometimes associated with the weaponized version used in the 2001 attacks in the United States when five people died and 17 others fell sick after being exposed to anthrax spores in letters sent through the mail.
Anthrax bacteria also occurs naturally in soil.
In a separate assessment of the Zambia outbreak, which was the most concerning, WHO said that 684 suspected cases had been reported in the southern African nation as of Nov. 20, with four deaths.
Human cases of anthrax had been reported in nine out of Zambia's 10 provinces. In one instance, 26 people were suspected of contracting the disease from eating contaminated hippopotamus meat.
WHO said there was a high risk that the Zambian outbreak would spread to neighbouring countries.
The outbreaks in all five countries were "likely being driven by multiple factors, including climatic shocks, food insecurity, low-risk perception and exposure to the disease through handling the meat of infected animals," WHO said.
Uganda has imposed a ban on the sale of beef products as authorities struggle to contain a severe anthrax outbreak originating in the Kyotera district of the central region.
Reports indicate that at least 17 people have died, with over 20 others bedridden in various local villages.
The Kyotera district veterinary officer, John Mary Lutaaya, has announced restrictions on the movement of cattle in the Kabira zone until the outbreak is under control, affecting local traders.
The outbreak, confirmed by health authorities on November 26, has resulted in the death of more than 40 cows within the past two months. Anthrax, a rare but highly infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, naturally occurs in soil and typically affects both wild and domestic animals.
AFRICANEWS
