Manitoba_Rancher
Well-known member
ANTHRAX FOUND IN FOUR MANITOBA HERDS
Dr. Wayne Lees, Manitoba's chief veterinary officer, today confirmed anthrax has been detected in four herds in southeastern Manitoba. The outbreak has resulted in the death of 24 cattle and one horse.
"Diagnostic samples provided to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory between July 13 and 17 from four locations in the regional municipalities of Stuartburn and Franklin were positive for anthrax," said Lees. "This is not a surprising issue considering anthrax outbreaks do occur from time to time and recently, there have been several cases confirmed in Saskatchewan and Minnesota."
Anthrax has been previously detected in Manitoba. Confirmed cases of bovine anthrax in Manitoba over the past five years included 24 animals in 2000, four animals in 2001 and three animals in 2003. In 2005, 36 animals, including 26 cattle and 10 horses, died of anthrax on 12 premises in south-central Manitoba between July and the end of September.
Anthrax exists worldwide and is primarily a disease of herbivorous animals. It can be contracted by all mammals including humans. While there have only been two reported cases of anthrax causing illness in humans in Canada since 1990, mortality rates can be very high in herbivores. For additional information about anthrax and risk to humans, visit http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ep-mu/anthrax_e.html.
Under the federal Health of Animals Act, anthrax is a reportable disease to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that ensures strict enforcement of quarantine and proper burning or deep burial of carcasses suspected to have died from anthrax to prevent further soil contamination with the bacterial spore.
Livestock vaccination is the standard method of controlling anthrax when identified in a herd. Veterinarians of CFIA vaccinate cattle on farms around the infected premises to create a buffer zone in an effort to break the cycle of infection. Because animals are found dead with no illness detected, producers should consult with their veterinarians and vaccinate their livestock if deemed appropriate.
"We will continue to work with CFIA to monitor the situation," said Lees. "The safety of beef and beef products remains protected in all cattle slaughtered for human consumption."
Dr. Wayne Lees, Manitoba's chief veterinary officer, today confirmed anthrax has been detected in four herds in southeastern Manitoba. The outbreak has resulted in the death of 24 cattle and one horse.
"Diagnostic samples provided to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory between July 13 and 17 from four locations in the regional municipalities of Stuartburn and Franklin were positive for anthrax," said Lees. "This is not a surprising issue considering anthrax outbreaks do occur from time to time and recently, there have been several cases confirmed in Saskatchewan and Minnesota."
Anthrax has been previously detected in Manitoba. Confirmed cases of bovine anthrax in Manitoba over the past five years included 24 animals in 2000, four animals in 2001 and three animals in 2003. In 2005, 36 animals, including 26 cattle and 10 horses, died of anthrax on 12 premises in south-central Manitoba between July and the end of September.
Anthrax exists worldwide and is primarily a disease of herbivorous animals. It can be contracted by all mammals including humans. While there have only been two reported cases of anthrax causing illness in humans in Canada since 1990, mortality rates can be very high in herbivores. For additional information about anthrax and risk to humans, visit http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ep-mu/anthrax_e.html.
Under the federal Health of Animals Act, anthrax is a reportable disease to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that ensures strict enforcement of quarantine and proper burning or deep burial of carcasses suspected to have died from anthrax to prevent further soil contamination with the bacterial spore.
Livestock vaccination is the standard method of controlling anthrax when identified in a herd. Veterinarians of CFIA vaccinate cattle on farms around the infected premises to create a buffer zone in an effort to break the cycle of infection. Because animals are found dead with no illness detected, producers should consult with their veterinarians and vaccinate their livestock if deemed appropriate.
"We will continue to work with CFIA to monitor the situation," said Lees. "The safety of beef and beef products remains protected in all cattle slaughtered for human consumption."
