July 20, 2006

Anthrax spreads to 45 Canadian farms

Anthrax bacteria has spread to 45 farms in Canada's north-eastern province of Saskatchewan, causing 175 cattle deaths and one human infection, the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Tuesday (Jul 18).

Health authorities say the disease is now under control and does not pose a significant threat to humans or cattle.

Most of the dead cattle were beef cattle and more than 8,000 cattle in the vicinity has been vaccinated.

The only person infected contracted skin anthrax, a milder form of the disease, and is being treated with antibiotics. It is the first time a human contracted anthrax in Canada since 1990. If the bacteria finds its way into a person's stomach or lungs, it can cause a serious infection.

Anthrax rears up with relative frequency in the rural areas of northern Saskatchewan and Alberta, but does not cause a serious problem if isolated quickly.

The bacteria is usually transmitted through an open sore from infected soil, hides or meat.