Anthrax in Victorian cattle
Current situation
Updated as at 11am AEDT 26 February 2024
Agriculture Victoria is continuing to vaccinate livestock at properties in the Shepparton region, following the recent detection of anthrax on 2 farms.
Almost 6,000 cattle and sheep have been vaccinated on at risk properties as part of the response so far, with private veterinarians working alongside members of Agriculture Victoria’s Animal Health team.
No further cases of anthrax have been detected.
All properties vaccinated will remain under quarantine for 20 days following the completion of vaccination of all stock, or for 20 days after the last anthrax death on affected properties, whichever is longer.
Quarantine is issued primarily to restrict the movement of livestock from those the properties until post vaccination immunity has developed. Vehicles and equipment that have been in contact with infected carcases and not been disinfected appropriately also cannot leave a property.
Quarantine controls will not affect the movement of local people, vehicles, or livestock.
Outbreaks of anthrax have previously been confirmed in this area and sporadic cases are not unusual in northern Victoria.
This incident again highlights the importance of early reporting and the need to consider anthrax as a differential diagnosis whenever unexplained sudden death occurs in sheep, cattle or other susceptible species in Victoria.
What is Anthrax?
Anthrax is an infectious zoonotic 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 many years.
Grazing herbivores (e.g. cattle and sheep) are infected through ingesting spores present in contaminated soils, while browsers (e.g. deer) may ingest the pathogen on contaminated foliage. Once ingested, the bacteria produce potent toxins that cause the clinical signs of anthrax including fever, inappetence, lethargy or sudden death, often with a blood-stained exudate visible at the nose, mouth and/or anus.
What to do if you suspect Anthrax?
Anthrax is a notifiable disease. It is vital that, if you are made aware of sudden deaths of ruminant livestock without an obvious cause, you:
- report the incident immediately to your local Agriculture Victoria staff or phone the all-hours Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888
- do not move the carcass(es)
- test carcass(es) for anthrax using an Immunochromatographic Test (ICT).
Agriculture Victoria provides funding to private veterinarians for a basic anthrax exclusion in cattle and sheep.
The ICT must be used before a post-mortem examination is undertaken or the carcass is moved and can only be used by veterinarians who are accredited by Agriculture Victoria. Contact your local Veterinary Officer if you would like to become accredited to use the ICT.