China's eastern Shandong province reported five people were infected with anthrax and a beef cattle farm was shut after an outbreak was discovered in the agricultural province.
China shuts cattle farm after anthrax outbreak, five human infections
Anthrax outbreak hits northern Alberta
Anthrax poses little risk to people, but the disease can decimate herds if not caught in time
Reading Time: 2 minutes Warnings have been issued about an anthrax outbreak in northern Alberta’s MacKenzie County amid hot, dry conditions that favour the disease. Anthrax in grazing beef cows has been confirmed on four pastures and on a bison ranch. Since the first report on July 14, 31 cattle and three bison out of about 1,700 at-risk animals […] Read more
Anthrax kills southeastern Saskatchewan sheep
Spores forced up by changes in soil moisture
Dramatic shifts in soil moisture are again bringing anthrax spores to the surface on the Prairies, this time in a southeastern Saskatchewan sheep pasture. Lab results on Wednesday confirmed anthrax as the cause of death of one animal in a flock of sheep in the R.M. of South Qu’Appelle, about 50 km east of Regina, […] Read more
Anthrax an increased threat this summer
Reading Time: < 1 minute Weather conditions have created the ‘perfect storm’ for increased anthrax risk in many parts of the country. The highly contagious and infectious soil-borne disease can infect most mammals, but especially bison and beef cattle. It is most common if there is a drought after soil has been disturbed (such as by flooding, heavy rains, soil […] Read more
It’s worth the effort to find out what happened
Beef 911: Autopsies can provide very valuable information you can use to enhance preventive medicine protocols
Reading Time: 4 minutes When an animal dies, producers often simply have it disposed of. But that often means valuable information is lost — so decisions for the rest of the herd or altering treatments for subsequent cases cannot be made. An experienced veterinarian can glean very valuable information from a complete autopsy and often give you the cause […] Read more
Warning issued as anthrax shows up early
Having a case this early in the year is unusual and the dry spring may be to blame
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has confirmed a case of anthrax in a cow in Mackenzie County. A few cases of anthrax are reported in Western Canada nearly every year, typically between July and mid-September and usually following hot weather. This case is unusual in that it was detected in March. Anthrax spores survive in soil, […] Read more
Anthrax strikes two cattle operations near Fort Vermilion
If an animal dies suddenly on your property, do not move it and call a veterinarian for a diagnosis
Reading Time: 2 minutes Anthrax has surfaced in Alberta, killing about 10 cattle on two separate operations in the Fort Vermilion area. This follows the death of two bison that died in North Battleford, Sask. and producers are being warned to be on the lookout for anthrax, due to the hot, dry conditions. The disease is not new to […] Read more
Anthrax warning issued after two bison die near North Battleford
There is a greater risk of anthrax in dry conditions and a sudden unexplained death is the key warning sign
Reading Time: 2 minutes Authorities are warning that the anthrax danger is higher after two bison northwest of North Battleford, Sask. recently died after contracting the highly contagious disease. “Whenever we have drier summers, anthrax is always a higher risk,” said Dr. Kent Weir, associate veterinarian with Weir Veterinary services in Lloydminster. Anthrax spores can survive for decades in […] Read more
Anthrax detected in northern Alberta
Two cases confirmed from two separate beef cattle farms in the Fort Vermillion area
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has been notified of confirmed cases of anthrax in two separate beef cattle farms in the Fort Vermillion area. Given these findings and recently confirmed cases in Saskatchewan, producers are reminded to be on the look-out for anthrax. The recent hot, dry weather has led to conditions that are favourable for […] Read more
Recent bison deaths in North Battleford due to anthrax, more suspected
Keep a close eye on your herd and contact your vet immediately if you suspect anthrax on your farm
Reading Time: 2 minutes With high temperatures and drought, cattle and bison are at a higher risk of anthrax. Two bison deaths northwest of North Battleford, Saskatchewan have recently been confirmed as caused by anthrax, and seven others are suspected. Producers are encouraged to keep a watchful eye and to refresh their memories on what to do when anthrax […] Read more
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