Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/722748
27 hippos die of suspected anthrax
Monday, 14th June, 2010
By John B. Thawite
AT least 27 hippos have died of suspected anthrax in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) boss revealed yesterday.
?They died on Friday and we buried 27 carcasses on Saturday and Sunday. But we are still waiting for experts to confirm whether the animals died of anthrax,? Moses Mapesa said.
He, however, clarified that the deaths were not a threat to tourism because it occurred five kilometres east of the Katunguru bridge towards Lake George, which is far away from the Kazinga Channel, a tourist attraction.
Tom Okello, the Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area manager, said UWA had set up a surveillance team to monitor the waters.
This comes six years after the park lost about 300 hippos, several vultures, hyenas and other grass-eating animals in the park to anthrax.
Several people died then in Bushenyi district and one in Kinyamaseke, Kasese district after eating meat of the infected hippos.
?But the situation is under control. After the 2004 anthrax attack, we are now more prepared to handle it,? said.
He described to the incident as ?part and parcel of nature, a normal phenomenon.?
Mapesa explained that whenever an animal grazes at a spot harbouring the anthrax spores, the spores come with the grass.
?The bacteria is always dormant in the soil until there is something to trigger it,? he said.
Mapesa warned the public against eating wildlife meat and livestock keepers to avoid grazing in the park.
Mapesa also urged poachers to avoid the park.
?Anyone who sees a carcass should immediately report to UWA authorities or other nearest authorities,? he said.
Anthrax is caused by a bacterial organism, bacillus anthracis, and is treated with a vaccine, blanthrax.
The district veterinary officer, Dr. Gad Kalule, said blanthrax can be used to immunise animals against anthrax.
Characteristics
Outside the host, the bacteria forms spores, which can remain in a dormant state in the environment, especially in the soil, for a long time.
Once these spores are eaten, for example through contaminated pasture, food or water, they become active and multiply within the body of the host animal/human, causing the disease.
Signs and symptoms
?The most evident signs include the oozing of bloody fluids from the victim?s eyes, mouth, ears and the anus,? Mapesa said.
?Usually the animal dies within a day or two of contracting the sickness.?
The dead animal or person?s body gets swollen.
Prevention
Livestock, particularly cattle, goats, and sheep around the outbreak areas should be vaccinated.
Animals that die in water bodies should be removed immediately to avoid further contamination of the water.
The carcasses should be buried immediately and should not be opened as this encourages the spread of bacteria.
Preferably, animals that die of the disease should be burned to ashes with firewood and paraffin.
Quarantines should be set up in the affected areas to stop the movement of livestock and livestock products like meat, milk, hides and skins. Slaughter of animals for public sale should be temporarily halted in the affected areas.
Communities in the affected areas should be sensitised about anthrax.
The people handling the cases should wear protective gear such as nose masks, hand gloves, gumboots and overalls.
27 hippos die of suspected anthrax
Monday, 14th June, 2010
By John B. Thawite
AT least 27 hippos have died of suspected anthrax in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) boss revealed yesterday.
?They died on Friday and we buried 27 carcasses on Saturday and Sunday. But we are still waiting for experts to confirm whether the animals died of anthrax,? Moses Mapesa said.
He, however, clarified that the deaths were not a threat to tourism because it occurred five kilometres east of the Katunguru bridge towards Lake George, which is far away from the Kazinga Channel, a tourist attraction.
Tom Okello, the Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area manager, said UWA had set up a surveillance team to monitor the waters.
This comes six years after the park lost about 300 hippos, several vultures, hyenas and other grass-eating animals in the park to anthrax.
Several people died then in Bushenyi district and one in Kinyamaseke, Kasese district after eating meat of the infected hippos.
?But the situation is under control. After the 2004 anthrax attack, we are now more prepared to handle it,? said.
He described to the incident as ?part and parcel of nature, a normal phenomenon.?
Mapesa explained that whenever an animal grazes at a spot harbouring the anthrax spores, the spores come with the grass.
?The bacteria is always dormant in the soil until there is something to trigger it,? he said.
Mapesa warned the public against eating wildlife meat and livestock keepers to avoid grazing in the park.
Mapesa also urged poachers to avoid the park.
?Anyone who sees a carcass should immediately report to UWA authorities or other nearest authorities,? he said.
Anthrax is caused by a bacterial organism, bacillus anthracis, and is treated with a vaccine, blanthrax.
The district veterinary officer, Dr. Gad Kalule, said blanthrax can be used to immunise animals against anthrax.
Characteristics
Outside the host, the bacteria forms spores, which can remain in a dormant state in the environment, especially in the soil, for a long time.
Once these spores are eaten, for example through contaminated pasture, food or water, they become active and multiply within the body of the host animal/human, causing the disease.
Signs and symptoms
?The most evident signs include the oozing of bloody fluids from the victim?s eyes, mouth, ears and the anus,? Mapesa said.
?Usually the animal dies within a day or two of contracting the sickness.?
The dead animal or person?s body gets swollen.
Prevention
Livestock, particularly cattle, goats, and sheep around the outbreak areas should be vaccinated.
Animals that die in water bodies should be removed immediately to avoid further contamination of the water.
The carcasses should be buried immediately and should not be opened as this encourages the spread of bacteria.
Preferably, animals that die of the disease should be burned to ashes with firewood and paraffin.
Quarantines should be set up in the affected areas to stop the movement of livestock and livestock products like meat, milk, hides and skins. Slaughter of animals for public sale should be temporarily halted in the affected areas.
Communities in the affected areas should be sensitised about anthrax.
The people handling the cases should wear protective gear such as nose masks, hand gloves, gumboots and overalls.
:tiphat: