Cattle deaths from anthrax confirmed

The property was quarantined, and all livestock on the affected property have been vaccinated. Neighbouring properties have also been informed.

Victorian chief veterinary officer Graeme Cooke said due to early reporting by the impacted farmer and veterinarians, swift action was able to be taken to reduce the likelihood of the detection impacting more livestock.

Carcases of the dead animals have been disposed of.

Outbreaks of anthrax have previously been confirmed in this area, and sporadic cases are not unusual in northern Victoria.

Anthrax is an infectious bacterial disease of animals, caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis.

Although the disease usually appears during the warmer months, cases of anthrax may occur at any time of year and in locations where the disease may not have been recognised for years.

Cattle and sheep are infected through ingesting spores in contaminated soils, while browsing stock may ingest the pathogen on contaminated grass.

Once ingested, the bacteria produce potent toxins that cause the clinical signs of anthrax, including fever, lack of appetite, lethargy or sudden death, often with bleeding visible at the nose, mouth and/or anus.

Anthrax is a notifiable disease.

The last major outbreak in the Goulburn Valley occurred in 1997 in the Stanhope and Tatura areas, when 202 cattle died and authorities instituted a mass vaccination campaign reaching 78,000 cattle.

Other smaller cases were reported across northern Victoria in 2018, 2015 and 2009.

The anthrax spores can survive in the soil for many years, and the outbreaks appear to be following the route of a historic cattle droving trail when anthrax was common.

Meanwhile, an experienced dairy vet has urged farmers to report any sudden deaths of cattle.

Dairy consultant Rob Bonanno said the anthrax bacteria could kill cattle relatively quickly.

“There could be a temptation to write off a sudden death as snake bite, but I suspect that sometimes snakes can get blamed for deaths they had nothing to do with,” Dr Bonanno said.

“If you find a cow has died without any previous symptoms or history, call your vet.”

Dr Bonanno said a vet could conduct a quick field test from a blood sample to indicate whether anthrax was present.

“Don’t move the animal if you’ve had a suspicious death,” he said.

“You could be spreading the anthrax spores around, and they can stay in the soil for decades.”

Dr Bonanno, a vet with 33 years of experience and a dairy consultant with Apiam, said he felt for the farmers who had reported anthrax deaths, but everyone should remember that it could happen to anyone in the Goulburn Valley.

“There have been outbreaks on many properties, and the spores can easily be moved from one property to another,” he said.

“If you have a sudden death, and particularly at this time of the year, in the heat, anthrax has to be in the frame.

“So I am telling farmers, if you get a sudden death, don’t move them, notify the vets, and they can do a relatively quick field test.

“If you get a positive test, the vet can tell you the next steps.

“It’s not a cause for panic. There are some protocols to follow.

“Remember, there have been isolated outbreaks at different places that have been contained.”

Dr Bonanno said if carcases were moved without checking, they could end up at a knackery and put people at risk.

He urged farmers to continue to practise good biosecurity measures and not to hesitate to contact their vet or the 24-hour AgVet hotline Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Agriculture Victoria said its veterinarians and animal health officers were working closely with livestock owners in the region, assisting them with surveillance and vaccinations if needed.

“Anthrax is not a concern for the public,” an AgVic spokesperson said.

AgVic said anthrax does not spread rapidly and is not contagious for humans.