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.
Additional Information
Specimen requirements
| Blood smear |
|---|
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| Blood (with anti-coagulant) |
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| Blood (without anti-coagulant) |
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| Fresh tissue |
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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.
Further information
Customer Service
Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.
NSW DPI's laboratories are committed to continual improvement of services. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill in and submit the online feedback form.
CONTACT DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1800 675 623 |
| Operating Hours | 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only) |
| Postal Address | Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567 |
Quotations
For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request
For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957
For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103
Submission Forms
Veterinary Specimen Advice Form
Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au) for more information.
Courier services and specimen delivery
For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.
For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.
Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the SVDL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.
Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).
Sample Type | Laboratory | Street Address |
|---|---|---|
Animal (including aquatic animals) | NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL) | EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568 |
