Investigation of Anthrax Outbreak in Kazo District, March 2025

On January 22, 2026, the Kazo District Health Team notified the Ministry of Health of a cluster of suspected human anthrax cases following reports of sudden livestock deaths in multiple sub-counties. The National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) from the Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program was deployed and set out to, determine the magnitude of the outbreak, characterize cases by person, place, and time, identify potential exposures, assess outbreak response using 717 timelines and recommend evidence-based control measures in Kazo District. We conducted active case finding, health facility records reviews, laboratory testing, and environmental assessments.

A total of 135 cases (121 suspected and 14 confirmed) were identified between December 2025 and March 2026, with an overall attack rate of 65 per 100,000 population and a case fatality rate of 4%. The majority of cases (97%) presented with cutaneous anthrax, and males and persons aged ≥15 years were the most affected. All sub-counties reported cases, with Kazo Town Council and Kyampangara Sub-county experiencing the highest attack rates.

Epidemiological, laboratory, and environmental findings indicated that the outbreak was associated with handling and consumption of meat from animals that died suddenly. Cases were clustered around farms where livestock deaths occurred, and unsafe practices such as on-site butchering and shallow burial of carcasses were common. Laboratory testing confirmed Bacillus anthracis in both human and animal samples. In response, district authorities, supported by national teams, implemented control measures including community sensitization, promotion of safe carcass disposal, strengthening of surveillance, and livestock vaccination. These interventions aimed to interrupt transmission, prevent further human infections, and reduce the risk of future outbreaks in this high-risk cattle corridor setting.