Responding to a suspected anthrax outbreak

Investigating anthrax disease requires strict procedures for:

  • sampling
  • carcase disposal
  • site decontamination
  • ensuring the safety of all people involved.

Initial diagnosis

If you suspect anthrax, immediately contact a veterinarian.

Sudden deaths in grazing animals are often the first indication of anthrax.

If animals survive long enough, clinical signs of weakness, staggering and laboured breathing may be observed.

Consider anthrax as a possible cause of sudden deaths if the property:

  • is located in or near the 'anthrax belt'
    or
  • has received animals or feed from high-risk areas.

Report suspected disease

If anthrax is highly suspected, the livestock owner or veterinarian must immediately report it to:

  • Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 during business hours
    or
  • the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Collect samples for testing

Veterinarians must:

Isolate and contain infection

To minimise spread, do not:

  • drive your vehicle close to the carcase
  • walk in discharges from the carcase
  • contaminate your vehicle with carcase material
  • open the carcase
  • move the carcase.

Monitor human health

Anthrax is a serious zoonotic disease that can cause illness and death in humans.

If exposure is suspected, contact either:

Isolate animals and animal products

Immediately:

  • manage milk collections in consultation with your milk processor
  • disinfect and dispose of milk already in the vat within environmental requirements (if milk is not to be collected by your processor)
  • do not move animals off the property or between different areas of the property
  • do not slaughter or process animals for human or animal consumption.

Stay away from the carcase

Everyone on the property should avoid the carcase and any contamination from it.

Follow guidelines to:

  • isolate the carcase pending laboratory test results
    or
  • dispose of it as per protocols.

If it is necessary to approach the carcase:

Confirmed case

If anthrax is confirmed as the cause of death, Biosecurity Queensland will:

  • manage the outbreak consistent with the AUSVETPLAN for anthrax (PDF, 4.28 MB)
  • coordinate a multi-agency response with other government agencies
  • work directly with the livestock owner and veterinarian to manage

Tracing and notifying

Biosecurity Queensland will:

Movement restrictions

Biosecurity Queensland will:

  • assess affected and neighbouring properties
  • implement movement restrictions as needed.

Restrictions may include:

  • no movement of animals or animal products on or off the property without approval
  • restrictions on slaughter, sale, export and milk movements.

Restrictions are generally lifted either:

  • 20 days after the last anthrax death
    or
  • 20 days after the last vaccination.

A withholding period (WHP) and an export slaughter interval (ESI) of 42 days after vaccination also apply.

Livestock owners must strictly follow all movement restrictions.

Some importing countries may require proof that the property, region or state has been free of anthrax for a specified period before allowing imports of animals or animal products.

Carcase disposal and site decontamination

Biosecurity Queensland will coordinate disposal and decontamination with the livestock owner and the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development (DNRMMRRD).

Follow the procedures for:

  • personal disinfection
  • equipment and clothing decontamination and disposal
  • site decontamination.

Vaccination

Vaccinating livestock is the key control measure in managing anthrax outbreaks.

Ongoing prevention and control

Livestock owners should update their farm biosecurity plan to include anthrax-specific procedures for prevention, monitoring and control.

Also consider…