Anthrax
- Anthrax is a notifiable disease and is also declared as Emergency Animal Disease (EAD).
- Anthrax is a zoonotic agent, capable of causing serious illness and death in humans.
- Contact Customer Service to notify the laboratory when submitting samples for testing.
- For urgent assistance or advice contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Description
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by the spore forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Although anthrax is common in herbivores (e.g. cattle, sheep, and goats) and wild animals, humans can be exposed to tissue from infected animals, or directly to B anthracis spores under certain conditions. Most cases of anthrax in NSW occur in sheep and cattle within the geographical area known as the “anthrax belt”.
When anthrax is suspected, a post mortem should not be undertaken as it will cause the vegetative forms of Bacillus anthracis to sporulate. These spores will remain a source of infection for long periods.
Anthrax can have different clinical presentations depending on the route of infection, host factors, and strain-specific factors. Herbivores affected by anthrax commonly present with acute septicaemia with a high fatality rate, often accompanied by haemorrhagic lymphadenitis.
Signs of acute septicaemia include fever and hyperexcitability followed by depression, respiratory or cardiac distress, staggering, convulsions, and death. Animals can be found dead without signs of disease. There may be bloody discharges from the natural body orifices.
Diagnosis and tests available
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is strongly supported by history, clinical signs and the use of an Immunochromatographic test (ICT) in the field. Confirmation is by smear examination and PCR in the laboratory. If the ICT test is used, samples must still be submitted to the laboratory for confirmation.
ICT test kits can be ordered from the laboratory by contacting your Local Land Services District Vet.
Tests available
Test | Sample(s) required | Days of the week test is conducted | Turnaround time1 |
|---|---|---|---|
Anthrax PCR | Clotted blood (red top tube), lithium heparin blood (green top tube), EDTA blood (purple top tube) or fresh tissue | Monday – Saturday2 | Same day |
Smear examination | Blood smear or fresh tissue | Monday – Saturday2 | Same day |
1 Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.
2 Prior approval of delivery and testing on Saturday is required. Please contact Customer Service on 1800 675 623 to seek approval.
Specimen requirements
| Blood smear |
|---|
|
| Blood (with anti-coagulant) |
|
| Blood (without anti-coagulant) |
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| Fresh tissue |
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Further information
Note
- The preferred sample for anthrax testing is a peripheral blood smear. When an ICT test has been performed, please submit the used ICT kit in addition to any other samples. Where possible, please submit duplicate samples in case confirmatory testing is required.
- Fees for tests undertaken to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of Anthrax are paid by NSW Department of Primary Industries
- Contact Customer Service to provide advance notice of your submission. This will allow specific biosecurity precautions to be undertaken at the laboratory.
- Clearly label specimens as Suspect Anthrax. A Suspect Anthrax warning should also be placed under the lid of the outer package. This will ensure specific biosecurity precautions are undertaken at the laboratory.
- Pack specimens securely (i.e. double bag and send in a rigid container) and forward to the laboratory separate from any other specimens.
