November 1, 2019

Australian authorities encourage NSW farmers to vaccinate livestock following second confirmed anthrax case

Officials of New South Wales (NSW) Department of Primary Industries (DPI) are encouraging farmers in the centre of the state to vaccinate livestock following confirmation of the second case of anthrax in 2019, Outbreak News Today reported.

"Ingestion of soil by sheep, cattle and other ruminants is one of the key risk factors for anthrax, which is why drought conditions are increasing the risk," DPI Senior Veterinary Officer, Dr. Graham Bailey said.

"Cases of anthrax in NSW tend to occur in an area which runs through the centre of the state; between Bourke and Moree in the north, to Albury and Deniliquin in the south.

Anthrax can be prevented by annual vaccination of cattle and sheep. Producers in high-risk locations are encouraged to consider vaccination."

Other risk factors include a history of anthrax on the property, grazing stubble or very short pastures, low ground cover, deep cultivation or earthworks in paddocks, rain causing soil movement or exposure, contact with infected carcasses and alkaline soils which favour spore survival.

The state's second and most recent case was located in the Western Local Land Services region and occurred in a mob of rams.