Australian anthrax outbreak discovered
Pastor Dale Morgan
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*Australian anthrax outbreak discovered*
February 07, 2007 03:43pm
Article from: AAP
AUSTRALIA - ANTHRAX has broken out on a sixth property in northern Victoria.
The bacterial disease has been found on a farm at Tatura, east of the
outbreak area around Stanhope.
Anthrax caused the death of a dairy cow at the Tatura property, where
the disease had previously been diagnosed, authorities said.
Twenty-nine cows have so far died from the disease – which occurs
naturally in domestic and wild hoofed animals – on the six properties,
five of which are located in the Stanhope area.
Stock on nearby and affected farms were being vaccinated, a Department
of Primary Industries (DPI) spokeswoman said today.
The cases have prompted a warning from the DPI for farms to be extra
vigilant and report any sudden cases of unexplained cattle deaths to
their vet or the DPI.
The cases have been confined to an area of northern Victoria where
anthrax naturally occurs in the soil.
The DPI said no further sporadic cases were likely because of the dry
conditions.
A 34-year-old Stanhope knackery worker was hospitalised this week after
being infected with anthrax while handling cattle carcasses.
The man's workmates were given antibiotics as a precautionary measure.