After the sudden death of a cow in Wiltshire, a case of anthrax has been confirmed.
The illness, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, resulted in the deaths of two animals.
In a report to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Nigel Gibbens said: “The epidemiological investigation is ongoing, but initial inquiries have disclosed a small number of previous cases at this location approximately 20 years ago.”
The outbreak affected a herd of grazing beef suckler cattle, comprising approximately 174 cows with calves at foot and 6 bulls.
Movement controls, disinfection, and official disposal of waste and carcasses will be used to control the disease.
Source – The Dairy Site