NADIS disease bulletins are written specifically for farmers, to
increase awareness of prevalent conditions and promote disease
prevention and control, in order to benefit animal health and welfare.

Farmers are advised to discuss their individual farm circumstances
with their veterinary surgeon.



ANTHRAX in Cattle


The recent outbreak of anthrax on a farm in south Wales highlights the
importance of this disease to the farming community. The two cows
identified as having died of anthrax were the first cases reported in
Britain since a cow died on a farm in Wrexham in 2002. The cases also
highlight the persistence of the organism as the two new cases are
very likely to be linked to cases which occurred on the same farm 35
years ago.

Vigilance is vital. All cases of unexplainable sudden death need to be
reported to your veterinarian, who will then report the case to the
Divisional Veterinary Office. This office will then decide whether the
animal is to be tested for anthrax. The testing and veterinary time
will be paid for by the government.




Bacillus anthracis (www.med.kurume-u.ac.jp)



Anthrax is important not just as a cause of disease in stock; it can
also cause disease in people. Despite the use of anthrax envelopes as
a scare tactic in the US, by far the most important cause of human
anthrax is contact with animals or animal products However, its also
important to realise that anthrax is a rare disease, occurring
sporadically in the UK. Unlike foot and mouth it does not spread
rapidly form farm-to-farm. So it’s vital to keep it in perspective



Clinical Signs

¨ Sudden death (often within 2 or 3 hours of being apparently
normal) is by far the most common sign

¨ Very occasionally some animals may show trembling, a high
temperature, difficulty breathing, collapse and convulsions before
death. This usually occurs over a period of 24 hours

¨ After death blood may not clot, resulting in a small amount of
bloody discharge from the nose, mouth and other openings



Diagnosis

· On the clinical signs described above

· Rod-shaped bacteria surrounded by a capsule (see
above) are visible in blood smears made from surface blood vessels

· Post-mortem examinations should not be undertaken on
suspected anthrax cases (including any cow that has died suddenly for
no apparent reason) until a blood smear has proved negative)

· If a carcass is opened accidentally, the spleen is
usually swollen and there is bloodstained fluid in all body cavities

Suspected anthrax cases are covered by the Anthrax Order 1991 (which
replaced the Order of 1938). Any suspicion of the disease must be
notified to the State Veterinary Service Divisional Veterinary Manager
(DVM), who if they see fit will instigate a veterinary enquiry to
determine whether anthrax is present on the farm. Usually the DVM will
arrange a visit (often by the owner’s own vet) to take a blood sample
to look for bacteria with capsules. The animal or carcass must not be
moved before this has been done, fines will be levied if movement does
occur. If the tests prove negative, the veterinarian will send in a
certificate stating this and nothing further will happen. If anthrax
is still suspected then orders banning movement and requiring
disinfection will be instigated. Further information can be found on
the DEFRA website and at:-
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1991/Uksi_19912814_en_1.htm

(which has the text of the Anthrax Order 1991)



Treatment

· Due to the rapidity of the disease treatment is seldom
possible

· High doses of penicillin have been effective in the
later stages of some outbreaks





Prevention



Infection is usually acquired through the ingestion of contaminated
soil, fodder or compound feed. In the recent outbreak it is thought
that a contaminated pool was the most likely source. Sterilisation of
meat and bone meal used in animal feed (and more recently its complete
removal from cattle feed) has been the main factor responsible for the
rarity of anthrax in the UK over the last few years.

Richard Laven PhD BVetMed MRCVS




"As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there
And that sign said - no tress passin'
But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!"
Woody Guthrie

A prophet is only despised in his own country....
..........among his own relations...
............and in his own house