Collecting and testing samples for anthrax diagnosis for veterinarians

Veterinarians must follow strict processes when collecting, handling, and submitting samples for suspected anthrax cases.

These procedures are essential for:

  • confirming or excluding anthrax
  • preventing contamination
  • protecting human and animal health.

Report

If anthrax is suspected and has not already been reported, immediately contact:

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

Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)

To safely collect samples, you must wear:

  • waterproof overalls
  • gloves
  • face mask
  • eye protection
  • rubber boots.

Gather sampling equipment

For each animal, you will need:

  • glass slides
  • scalpel blades
  • syringes
  • blood tubes (EDTA—ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
  • sealable container for blood smears
  • clip-seal bags
  • 50mL containers for soil samples
  • marker pen
  • cooler box (e.g. Esky) and ice brick for transporting samples.

Collect samples

Blood samples are preferred for testing.

A blood smear is typically best obtained from the ear or the tail.

If these sites are unsuitable, collect blood from the jugular or brachial veins or, as a last resort, from any other bloody exudates.

To collect blood samples:

  1. Use a scalpel blade to make a small stab in the skin.
  2. Collect a small volume of blood using a syringe.
  3. Cover the puncture site with a swab soaked in a suitable disinfectant (for example, formalin).
  4. Use 1 drop of blood to prepare a blood smear on a slide.
  5. Air-dry the side and pack it securely in a closed container.
  6. Place any remaining blood in a secure EDTA blood tube.
  7. Place all samples in a sealed plastic bag or container—including used immunochromatographic test (ICT) kits and dilutants.
  8. Disinfect the outside of the container or bag.

Environmental samples

If suitable blood samples cannot be collected:

  1. Collect soil samples from the ground at the nasal and anal areas of the carcase, where discharges have contaminated the soil.
  2. Place approximately 50g of soil from each site in sample containers.
  3. Seal the sample containers in plastic bags and then disinfect the outside of the bags.

Immunochromatographic Test (ICT)

The ICT is a rapid, in-field test that detects a specific component of the anthrax toxin.

Kits and instructions for use (standard operating procedure) are available only to veterinarians and can be obtained by contacting Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.

Veterinarians in southern Queensland (especially in the ‘anthrax belt’) are encouraged to keep ICT kits on hand for safe, timely testing.

Using the ICT kit

  1. Test blood samples collected from carcases, ideally
    • from orifices (for example, mouth or anus)
      and
    • preferably within 48 hours of death.
  2. Follow the standard operating procedure.
  3. Wait for results (approximately 15 minutes).
  4. Take a photograph of the ICT result at 15 minutes.

A positive ICT result is highly indicative but not definitive of anthrax.

If the ICT result is positive:

  • immediately call Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 to report the positive result
  • collect and submit samples for confirmation testing.

If the ICT result is negative, still submit samples for exclusion testing. Do not dispose.

Dispose of sampling equipment

  1. Place used sampling materials (for example, syringes, tissues, pipettes) in a sharps container with disinfectant.
  2. Disinfect the outside of the sharps container and set it aside for later removal.

Sharps must not be forwarded with the samples.

Package samples

  1. Fully identify and double-bag all samples.
  2. Place the double-bagged samples in a transport box designed to contain any fluids or materials in case of breakage.
  3. Decontaminate the outside of the box.
  4. Complete laboratory submission forms and place them in an envelope, attaching it to the outside of the box.

If other tissue samples are collected for differential diagnoses, package them in the same way.

Notify the laboratory

Contact the Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory (BSL) to notify them that suspected anthrax samples are being submitted.

Transport samples

Ensure that all statutory requirements are met.

Pack and label samples for transport in compliance with:

If samples test positive for anthrax

Laboratory results are typically confirmed within 12–24 hours.

If samples test positive:

  • BSL will immediately notify Biosecurity Queensland and the submitting veterinarian
  • you will need to submit an application to begin the vaccination program.

Also consider…