Anthrax
Richard Laven PhD BVetMed MRCVS
The recent outbreak of anthrax on a farm in south Wales
highlights the importance of this disease to the farming
community.
The two cows identified as having died of anthrax were the
first cases reported in Britain since a cow died on a farm in
Wrexham in 2002. The cases also highlight the persistence
of the organism as the two new cases are very likely to be
linked to cases which occurred on the same farm 35 years
ago.
Vigilance is vital. All cases of unexplainable sudden death
need to be reported to your veterinarian, who will then report
the case to the Divisional Veterinary Office. This office will
then decide whether the animal is to be tested for anthrax.
The testing and veterinary time will be paid for by the
government.
Bacillus anthracis ( www.med.kurume-u.ac.jp )
Anthrax is important not just as a cause of disease in stock; it
can also cause disease in people. Despite the use of anthrax
envelopes as a scare tactic in the US, by far the most
important cause of human anthrax is contact with animals or
animal products However, its also important to realise that
anthrax is a rare disease, occurring sporadically in the UK.
Unlike foot and mouth it does not spread rapidly form
farm-to-farm. So it's vital to keep it in perspective
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Clinical Signs
- Sudden death (often within 2 or 3 hours of being
apparently normal) is by far the most common sign
- Very occasionally some animals may show trembling, a
high temperature, difficulty breathing, collapse and
convulsions before death. This usually occurs over a
period of 24 hours
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- After death blood may not clot, resulting in a small
amount of bloody discharge from the nose, mouth and
other openings
Diagnosis
- On the clinical signs described above
- Rod-shaped bacteria surrounded by a capsule (see above)
are visible in blood smears made from surface blood
vessels
- Post-mortem examinations should not be undertaken on
suspected anthrax cases (including any cow that has died
suddenly for no apparent reason) until a blood smear has
proved negative)
- If a carcass is opened accidentally, the spleen is usually
swollen and there is bloodstained fluid in all body
cavities
Suspected anthrax cases are covered by the Anthrax Order
1991 (which replaced the Order of 1938). Any suspicion of
the disease must be notified to the State Veterinary Service
Divisional Veterinary Manager (DVM), who if they see fit
will instigate a veterinary enquiry to determine whether
anthrax is present on the farm. Usually the DVM will
arrange a visit (often by the owner's own vet) to take a blood
sample to look for bacteria with capsules. The animal or
carcass must not be moved before this has been done, fines
will be levied if movement does occur. If the tests prove
negative, the veterinarian will send in a certificate stating
this and nothing further will happen. If anthrax is still
suspected then orders banning movement and requiring
disinfection will be instigated. Further information can be
found on the DEFRA website and at:-
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1991/Uksi_19912814_en_1.htm
(which has the text of the Anthrax Order 1991)
Treatment
- Due to the rapidity of the disease treatment is seldom
possible
- High doses of penicillin have been effective in the later
stages of some outbreaks
Prevention
Infection is usually acquired through the ingestion of
contaminated soil, fodder or compound feed. In the recent
outbreak it is thought that a contaminated pool was the most
likely source. Sterilisation of meat and bone meal used in
animal feed (and more recently its complete removal from
cattle feed) has been the main factor responsible for the
rarity of anthrax in the UK over the last few years.
NADIS seeks to ensure that the
information contained within this document
is accurate at the time of printing.
However, subject to the operation of law
NADIS accepts no liability for loss, damage
or injury howsoever caused or suffered
directly or indirectly in relation to
information and opinions contained in or
omitted from this document.
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visit www.nadis.org.uk

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