Anthrax

Summary

Anthrax is a serious, usually fatal disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It occurs world-wide and can infect a wide range of domestic and wild animal species as well as humans.

In grazing livestock anthrax usually presents as the sudden death of one, or a group of animals in a mob. Affected stock often show few or no signs of ill health before they die. In some situations the disease may begin with the sporadic deaths of single animals over a few days, building to dramatic losses in a very short time.

This Primefact includes topics:

• What is anthrax?
• Occurrence of anthrax in NSW
• Species affected
• Anthrax is a notifiable disease
• General biosecurity duty
• Development of the disease
• When to suspect anthrax
• Signs of anthrax in animals
• Signs of anthrax in humans
• Diagnosis of anthrax and more.