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22 Farms Quarantined In Melfort Area Anthrax Outbreak
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=headline>http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/news..._id=2147483654
22 Farms Quarantined In Melfort Area Anthrax Outbreak
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</TD></TR><TR><TD class=story>2006-07-06
Author: Neil Billinger-CJWW News</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD class=story> The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reports 76 suspicious cattle deaths within the past 10 days. Lab tests have confirmed 3 positive cases, with ongoing tests being conducted on other samples.
21 farms have been quarantined in the Rural Municipalities of Willow Creek and Kinistino, located north and west of Melfort. Another farm is also quarantined south of Melfort. CFIA veterinarian Dr. Greg Douglas says the farm is being investigated to see if the environment is responsible. Heavy runoff and erosion can expose anthrax spores to livestock.
5000 animals have been vaccinated in the Melfort area. Supplies of vaccine are being shipped in from other parts of Canada and the United States. Dr. Douglas recommends that cows, horses, sheep and goats within a 5 mile radius of a positive case be vaccinated. There is a booster shot given 3 weeks after the original vaccination. The animal should also have an annual booster shot for the next three years. The CFIA pays for the original vaccination, if it is on a farm with a positive anthrax case. Otherwise, the producer is responsible for the cost. As well, there is a 42 day waiting period between the vaccination and when the animal can be slaughtered.
Meantime, Sask Ag and Food is warning farmers in wet areas of the province to be on the lookout for signs of anthrax in their livestock.
Anthrax is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, which is commonly found in alkaline soil. The bacteria can grow rapidly under wet soil conditions and then form spores when the soil dries. Changes in soil moisture, from flooding and drying, can lead to a build-up of the spore on pastures. Spores can also surface when the ground is cultivated or when there is excessive run-off.
Livestock are infected when they eat forage contaminated with spores and the bacteria can enter the bloodstream through small abrasions in the mouth. Cattle, sheep, goats and horses are highly suseptible. Swine, birds and carnivores are more resistant to infection, but farm dogs and cats should be kept away from carcasses.
The carcass of any animal suspected of having anthrax should not be moved or disturbed to prevent spreading spores in the environment. Any suspicious livestock deaths should be immediately reported to a veterinarian</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
22 Farms Quarantined In Melfort Area Anthrax Outbreak
</TD></TR><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=story>2006-07-06 Author: Neil Billinger-CJWW News</TD></TR><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD class=story> The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reports 76 suspicious cattle deaths within the past 10 days. Lab tests have confirmed 3 positive cases, with ongoing tests being conducted on other samples.21 farms have been quarantined in the Rural Municipalities of Willow Creek and Kinistino, located north and west of Melfort. Another farm is also quarantined south of Melfort. CFIA veterinarian Dr. Greg Douglas says the farm is being investigated to see if the environment is responsible. Heavy runoff and erosion can expose anthrax spores to livestock.
5000 animals have been vaccinated in the Melfort area. Supplies of vaccine are being shipped in from other parts of Canada and the United States. Dr. Douglas recommends that cows, horses, sheep and goats within a 5 mile radius of a positive case be vaccinated. There is a booster shot given 3 weeks after the original vaccination. The animal should also have an annual booster shot for the next three years. The CFIA pays for the original vaccination, if it is on a farm with a positive anthrax case. Otherwise, the producer is responsible for the cost. As well, there is a 42 day waiting period between the vaccination and when the animal can be slaughtered.
Meantime, Sask Ag and Food is warning farmers in wet areas of the province to be on the lookout for signs of anthrax in their livestock.
Anthrax is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, which is commonly found in alkaline soil. The bacteria can grow rapidly under wet soil conditions and then form spores when the soil dries. Changes in soil moisture, from flooding and drying, can lead to a build-up of the spore on pastures. Spores can also surface when the ground is cultivated or when there is excessive run-off.
Livestock are infected when they eat forage contaminated with spores and the bacteria can enter the bloodstream through small abrasions in the mouth. Cattle, sheep, goats and horses are highly suseptible. Swine, birds and carnivores are more resistant to infection, but farm dogs and cats should be kept away from carcasses.
The carcass of any animal suspected of having anthrax should not be moved or disturbed to prevent spreading spores in the environment. Any suspicious livestock deaths should be immediately reported to a veterinarian</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>