Grazing animals are usually found dead, often with blood seeping from the carcase. Blood from an animal which has died of anthrax will not clot as would usually occur. Closely observed animals like dairy cows may be noted to be depressed and show signs of fever followed by a drop in milk production prior to death. Carcasses show rapid putrification and degrade rapidly.

Horses usually die suddenly and show swelling of the body and legs but may linger for a few days with colic and body swelling before dying.

Pigs may develop localised infection in the throat which leads to obvious illness and fever lasting two to seven days before they die.

Immediately contact Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 and get the death investigated by a veterinarian.

Do not handle, open, skin or move an animal that has suddenly died. Opening anthrax carcasses can cause further contamination of an area with anthrax spores.

If you suspect an animal has died of anthrax:

• report it immediately
• do not handle, open or skin the carcase
• do not move the carcase
• keep all other animals away from the carcase
• do not move any other animals off the property
• keep the affected mob separate to all other animals on the farm.

A veterinarian or an authorised officer under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 will investigate suspect cases of anthrax. If suitable samples can be collected, they can be tested on-farm. If samples are not available, smears of blood and a piece of the animal’s ear will be collected for examination at the laboratory.

Remember, you have a biosecurity duty to prevent the spread of diseases, such as Anthrax, from your animals to anybody else’s animals.

If you think you or another person has been exposed contact NSW Public Health (1300 066 055)

Diagnosis of Anthrax is 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.

Further laboratory information and submission forms can be found here.

Further information on diagnosis and use of the ICT can be found in the Primefact - Anthrax diagnosis PDF, 393.58 KB.

Anthrax can spread in infected animals that are moved and in contaminated products and materials. Anthrax does not typically spread directly between animals, rather infection in grazing animals occurs when they ingest soil containing anthrax spores. Clinical signs typically develop within 4-10 days of ingesting the spores.

Anthrax spores are produced at the time of an anthrax infection when the bacterium is exposed to air. For example, when the carcass of an infected animal is opened through predation by feral animals or other means. Once in the environment, these spores can be very resistant to degradation and depending on the soil type (alkaline soils favour spore survival), can survive buried for several decades or more.

The greatest risk factor for an anthrax outbreak, is a previous history of disease on that property. Other risk factors include any situation where deep soil is brought to the surface - deep cultivation/earthworks/heavy rain, or situations where there is increased ingestion of soil - grazing of stubbles or very short pastures/drought. Anthrax has also been known to occur in the absence of any of these risk factors.

Cases of anthrax in NSW tend to occur in an area which runs through the centre of the state and into Victoria. The area lies approximately between Bourke and Moree in the north, to Albury and Deniliquin in the south. However, cases can occur outside of this area.

Figure 3 - Almost all recent cases of anthrax in NSW have occurred within the highlighted region.

Anthrax is a serious zoonosis, meaning that it can be transmitted from animal to humans.

The greatest risk of contracting anthrax in Australia for people is from handling the carcasses of animals which have died from anthrax. Anthrax infection is very serious in people and anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to anthrax infected livestock or materials should seek medical advice immediately.

When anthrax is diagnosed in animals in NSW, the appropriate public health units are notified, and they provide advice to any people who have been in contact with livestock on the affected property.

You can access the NSW Health Anthrax fact sheet for more information or contact NSW Public Health (1300 066 055) directly for advice on the risks to humans.

Prevention and management

How can anthrax be prevented?

Anthrax vaccine can be used to protect livestock from infection. The vaccine registered for use in Australia is the Anthrax Vaccine (Living Spore Sterne 34F2 Strain). Vaccination provides effective protection against anthrax when the manufacturer’s directions are followed.

Prevention strategies for aggregation sites such as feedlots, abattoirs and saleyards

Planning for aggregation site emergencies should include biosecurity emergencies such as anthrax. Plans should include a strategy on how to exclude the possibility of anthrax promptly and how to manage normal operations till such time as anthrax can be excluded.

Do I need to vaccinate my livestock?

Annual vaccination of cattle and sheep is required for 3 years after a diagnosis of anthrax on a property. After 3 years the level of spore contamination is greatly reduced.

Owners are encouraged to consider vaccination on property based on risk assessment. Consider factors such as time since previous outbreaks, earthmoving, drought and flooding rain. It is recommended to vaccinate if anthrax has occurred on the property in the previous 10 years.

Neighbours to properties where anthrax is confirmed are strongly recommended to vaccinate sheep and cattle for anthrax. If farmers choose not to vaccinate sheep and cattle, they should monitor stock and contact a veterinarian if any unusual sudden deaths occur.

How do I access anthrax vaccine in NSW?

Use of the anthrax vaccine requires prior approval which can be gained by submitting an application form PDF, 135.45 KB to your Local Land Services district veterinarian. Once authorised, you can then place an order for the vaccine with your local rural supplier or private veterinarian.

Steps:

1. Obtain a copy of the application form PDF, 135.45 KB online or from your LLS office.
2. Complete all sections in the first part of the form, ensuring that the property identification code (PIC) of the property where the livestock are located is supplied, and a nominated supplier is indicated. Your LLS office or rural supplier can assist you if needed.
3. Submit the form to your LLS office. If you are requiring vaccine immediately, it is suggested you speak to your LLS Office to ensure the application has been received. If vaccine is needed urgently and you are unable to contact staff from your LLS, please ring 1800 675 888.
4. A government veterinarian will process your application form within two working days and will return a signed copy to you and Virbac Australia. They will contact you if there are any problems with your application.
5. On receipt of the signed authority your nominated supplier may place an order for vaccine from Virbac Australia. The signed authority form should accompany the order.
6. On receipt of an order and signed authority Virbac Australia will dispatch the vaccine to the account holder you have nominated – usually your local rural supplier or your private veterinarian.

Are there restrictions on vaccinated livestock?

There is a 42-day slaughter withholding period for stock vaccinated with an anthrax vaccine.

What happens when anthrax is confirmed on a property?

When anthrax is diagnosed on a property notification is made to an authorised officer under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015, this is often your Local Land Services district veterinarian, who will then assist in managing the case.

Steps involved in managing an anthrax case include:

• A Biosecurity Direction will be issued - this is a legal document which will outline your responsibilities.
• NSW health will be notified - they will contact the owners of the infected property to advise on human health matters.
• Sheep and cattle on the property will be vaccinated against anthrax.
• Tracing will occur to identify animals and animal products (e.g. wool) that have left the property in the 20 days preceding the first death – this will inform if any other properties are at risk of anthrax.
• Any carcasses from animals that have died from anthrax will be disposed of in a bio-secure manner (typically by burning to ash).
• Neighbouring properties are advised - this allows neighbours to consider and manage the anthrax risk on their own property, which may include vaccinating against anthrax.

More comprehensive information on what happens after anthrax diagnosis can be found in the Anthrax procedure.

• Procedure – Anthrax management PDF, 741.23 KB
• Primefact – Anthrax in livestock PDF, 501.54 KB
• Primefact – Anthrax diagnosis PDF, 393.58 KB
• Form – Application and authority to use Anthrax vaccine in NSW PDF, 135.45 KB
• Form – Anthrax ICT negative case report PDF, 79 KB
• AUSVETPLAN – Anthrax Response Strategy