Anthrax detection near Shepparton

12 February 2024

Agriculture Victoria veterinarians and animal health staff are responding to the detection of anthrax on a single beef property in the Shepparton region – where five beef cattle have died.

Following the report on the evening of 8 February, the property was quarantined, and all livestock on the affected property have been vaccinated. Neighbouring properties have also been informed.

Victoria's Chief Veterinary Officer Dr 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.

‘Anthrax is caused by a naturally occurring bacteria, Bacillus anthracis, that is known to be present in the soil in parts of Victoria,’ Dr Cooke said.

‘Incidents of anthrax detected in cattle and sheep in the region occur during the warmer months when it is drier and cattle and sheep forage deeper into the soil when grazing.’

‘Quarantine controls will not affect the movement of local people, vehicles, or livestock.’

Agriculture Victoria veterinarians and animal health officers are working closely with livestock owners in the region, assisting them with surveillance and vaccinations if needed. Anthrax is not a concern for the public:

• Anthrax does not spread rapidly and is not contagious for humans
• There is no general public health risk associated with anthrax
• Any risk is confined to people who handle dead livestock such as farmers, veterinarians and knackery workers
• As a precaution, people from the affected farm are being offered treatment
• There is no impact on local produce or food safety.

Local farmers, veterinarians and Agriculture Victoria are well prepared to handle these incidents. Steps includes strict quarantine and biosecurity arrangements, the vaccination of potentially exposed stock and the destruction of the carcasses of affected animals.

Farmers are urged to report any cases of unexplained deaths to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, to your local vet, or to Agriculture Victoria animal health staff on 136 186.

Anthrax has occurred intermittently in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland in recent decades. In Victoria this is often in northern areas of the state, but historically it has been recorded across all of the state in farming areas. The last detection of anthrax in Victoria was in February 2022, near Swan Hill.

An Anthrax factsheet on the Agriculture Victoria website is available answering frequently asked questions and providing more information.

Media contact: Tess Vallance

Phone: 0437 223 276