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ProMed: Canada: Anthrax kills 49 cows, 2 goats and a horse

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  • ProMed: Canada: Anthrax kills 49 cows, 2 goats and a horse

    ANTHRAX, LIVESTOCK - CANADA (MANITOBA) (02)

    Date: Tue 7 Aug 2007
    Source: CTV.ca News Staff [edited]
    <http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070807/anthrax_Manitoba_070807/20070807?hub=Health>


    Anthrax outbreak kills 52 animals in Manitoba
    ---------------------------------------------
    An outbreak of anthrax has killed 49 cows, 2 goats, and a horse in
    Manitoba's Interlake region, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
    confirmed to CTV.ca on Tuesday [7 Aug 2007]. A total of 2 goats and a horse
    also died as a result of ingesting infected spores that were unearthed with
    heavy rainfall. Test results confirming that the deaths were from anthrax
    came back over the weekend [4-5 Aug 2007].

    The CFIA was 1st notified of the outbreak on 20 Jul 2007 when a farm in the
    Armstrong community in the region reported that cattle had died. A total of
    9 more farms in Armstrong and 4 farms in the neighbouring Rockwood
    community reported losses soon after. The last death was on 3 Aug 2007.

    "Samples are usually sent to the provincial lab for testing, then to the
    CFIA for confirmation, that's why there's a delay in reporting," said CFIA
    spokeswoman Robin Locke. "But the CFIA starts implementing control measures
    right away."

    Infected spores -- remnants of bison, cattle and other animals that graze
    -- are commonly found throughout all the Prairie provinces. Manitoba has
    had an outbreak almost every year since the year 2000. Stephens said that
    could be due to its widely varying environmental conditions, from heavy
    downpours to hot and dry periods, all potentially causing the spores to
    surface.

    According to Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, vaccinating
    cattle isn't necessarily cost effective. "An appropriate vaccination for
    anthrax is available for cattle but it is generally not cost-effective
    because of the sporadic nature of the disease from year to year," the
    government agency says on its website. "Vaccination is only advised in
    those herds where there has been a recent history of anthrax in the
    immediate area where the cattle are raised."
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