KAMPALA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- An anthrax outbreak in the southwestern Ugandan district of Kanungu has so far killed three people, local authorities said on Tuesday.

District Veterinary Officer Aloysius Tumwesigye told Xinhua by telephone that three people have died of the disease while 43 cases have been reported, with some individuals hospitalized and others discharged.

Tumwesigye said livestock deaths have also been registered, including 65 heads of cattle, 10 goats and three sheep.

He said a mass vaccination of livestock in the district has been launched to curb the spread of the disease.

Tumwesigye said the district has informed the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries about the outbreak in the area, urging the ministry to send a team of experts to help control the situation.

He said a quarantine on the sale of livestock, including cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and related products, has been imposed in Kanungu since the outbreak of anthrax in the district was announced on Sept. 17.

Charlotte Kemigisha, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, told Xinhua by telephone that the situation is being handled.

Anthrax is caused by a bacterium called bacillus anthracis and primarily affects herbivorous animals, although other mammals and some birds can also contract it. Humans generally acquire the disease through contact with infected animals or exposure to contaminated animal products, according to the World Health Organization. Enditem

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