Veterinarians and animal health personnel are responding to the detection of anthrax on a beef property in the Shepparton region, where five beef cattle have died.

Agriculture Victoria said that following the report on the evening of 8 February, the property was quarantined, and all livestock have been vaccinated. Neighbouring properties have also been informed.

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 in Victoria was in February 2022, near Swan Hill.

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.

Outbreaks are caused by a naturally occurring bacteria, Bacillus anthracis, that is known to be present in the soil in parts of Victoria,’

“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,” Dr Cooke said.

Quarantine controls will not affect the movement of local people, vehicles or livestock, he said.

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. (Editor’s note: the original version of this advice incorrectly suggested that anthrax was not contagious for humans – since removed). 
• There is no impact on local produce or food safety.

Local farmers, vets and Agriculture Victoria are well prepared to handle these incidents, the department said in a statement.

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.

• An Agriculture Victoria Anthrax factsheet is available here

Source: Agriculture Victoria