New anthrax outbreak in Australia
Pastor Dale Morgan
*New anthrax outbreak in Australia*
February 19, 2007 07:31pm
Article from: AAP
AUSTRALIA - A DAIRY cow has died in a new outbreak of anthrax in
northern Victoria.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) officers have vaccinated the rest
of the herd following the death of the dairy heifer yesterday on a
property at Wyuna, near Kyabram.
The outbreak follows the discovery of the bacteria at eight properties
at nearby Stanhope and another at Tatura in recent weeks.
"As the Stanhope/Tatura cases have demonstrated, local farmers,
veterinarians and the DPI's animal health staff are prepared and well
practised in handling these incidents," spokeswoman Clare Ross said.
"The Wyuna case was reported yesterday and the herd was quickly
vaccinated according to routine control procedures.
"Vaccination of stock on adjoining farms is continuing and further
sporadic cases are possible across northern Victoria."
The anthrax cases have been confined to an area of northern Victoria
where anthrax bacteria naturally occur in the soil.
Infections commonly occur during drier months when cattle forage deeper
into the soil for grass.
A 34-year-old Stanhope knackery worker was taken to hospital earlier
this month after he was infected with anthrax while handling cattle
carcasses.
His workmates were given antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
There was no general public health risk from anthrax, Ms Ross said.
The DPI has urged farmers in the region to check their herds for any
sudden, unexplained cattle deaths.