9 August 2007

1 minute read

North America

Anthrax bacteria

As of Monday, 52 animals had died from the highly fatal disease.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has so far quarantined 16 farms in the province where affected animals have been found.

Although all mammals are susceptible to anthrax, cattle, sheep, goats and horses are most at danger. Human cases of anthrax from contaminated animals are rare, although it can be picked up from handling contaminated animals or carcasses.

Alvin Prysizney's farm about an hour north of Winnipeg has been under quarantine since one of his bulls was found dead from anthrax exposure two weeks ago.

He said he and other farmers in the area have been devastated by the recent deaths, which are isolated to three rural municipalities in the Interlake area of the province.

“I got so upset I couldn't eat,” Mr. Prysizney told CTV Winnipeg.

Dr. Sandra Stephens, a veterinarian with the CFIA, said animals usually pick up the disease from contaminated pasture, feed or soil where the spore-forming bacterium is found. Death can occur within just a few hours from the first onset of symptoms, which include refusing food and lower milk production.