November 8, 2004

Cow Diagnosed with Anthrax on Southern Finnish Farm

A cow on a farm in Southern Finland was diagnosed with anthrax in October, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Anthrax was not suspected until a tissue sample was sent to a veterinary laboratory to determine the cause of the animal's death.

Two cows on the same farm displayed symptoms of the disease. None of the meat from the cows has been sold, and the carcasses have been burned.

Other cows on the farm are under observation for a week. So far there is no indication of any new cases of the disease, and officials say that there is no cause for alarm.

Anthrax is a rare communicable disease which mainly affects bovine animals, sheep, and goats. Before this latest case, anthrax was diagnosed on a Finnish farm in 1988.