Saskatchewan government doesn’t expect more deaths in small anthrax outbreak

The Government of Saskatchewan says it doesn’t anticipate any more deaths related to the small anthrax outbreak in the Rural Municipality of Paynton.

The outbreak claimed the lives of two cows according to a May 13 test result, prompting the province to remind producers to be on the lookout for anthrax in their animals.

“In relation to this outbreak, the producer was very quick to respond,” said Dr. Wendy Wilkins, the provincial disease surveillance veterinarian with the Ministry of Agriculture.

“The animals have been treated, they’ve been vaccinated, and they are well on their way to be being fully protected from further incidences.”

As a provincially reportable disease, Wilkins said the province advises anyone who knows or suspects the presence of anthrax in their animals to report to the Ministry of Agriculture within 24 hours.

“Anthrax survives in the soil in spore form. So it’s not growing, it’s not really alive, but it’s very resistant,” Wilkins said.

“It stays there in the soil and it survives for years, if not decades until an animal such as a cow comes along picks it up, ingests it and then once it’s inside the animal, it starts to grow very rapidly.”

Wilkins said producers won’t be able to confirm if an animal has anthrax without a lab test, but one of the early signs is the animal dying.