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Antrhax (Regulations (Notifiable disease, Livestock may have to be…
Antrhax
Regulations
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Can also vaccinate preventatively, but requires CVO authorisation
Vaccinated animals treated with antibiotics should be revaccinated 10 days after antibiosis concludes
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Aetiology
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Sourced from meat/bone/animal products, fertilisers, contaminated soil
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Pathogenesis
Spores enter via ingestion, inhalation or through wounds.
Rapidly fatal septicaemia occurs, with production of exotoxins (oedema and lethal factors, protective antigen).
Humans: cutaneous, respiratory and GIT forms
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Epidemiology
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Bacteria in animal waste/decomposition, and when exposed to oxygen form spores which are inhaled/ingested/cutaneously absorbed.
Milk, meat, wool, hair and hides from animals without clinical signs pose no risk and are safe for consumption.
Diagnosis
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Anthrax ICT test: highly sensitive test that detects Ag in blood. Highly Sn/Sp if conducted within 48 hrs of death, but Sn reduces to 50% after 48 hrs (autolysis of Ag) which increases risk of false negatives. If a negative result is obtained but you still suspect, then collect blood/ear tissue samples for lab diagnosis.
Blood/tissue samples: collect from peripheral veins/inside nares. Blood smears used for microscopy/PCR, whole blood used for PCR/culture and ear tissue for PCR.
Control/eradication
Carcase disposal
0.7m deep pit with a trench at the bottom. Incinerate carcase and then bury with uncontaminated soil.
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Stock may be vaccinated preventatively. A double dose can be given to hasten immunity with high challenge.
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Prevention
Annual vaccination of cattle/neighbouring herds with a history of anthrax, or properties with a history of anthrax.
Clinical signs
Sudden death, bloating, rapid decomposition, tarry blood from orifices, incomplete rigor, blood that fails to clot, haemorrhage.
Post-mortem findings
PM should not be performed, but if it is: tarry/unclotted blood, swollen/haemorrhagic spleen, mesenteric oedema with body cavity effusions, ecchymotic haemorrhages on organs, congested/necrotic intestinal mucosa
DDx
Lightning strike, blackleg, leptospirosis, acute bloat, bacillary haemoglobinuria, salmonellosis