Anthrax kills seven animals in southeastern Saskatchewan

Seven animals are dead after being exposed to anthrax in southeastern Saskatchewan, according to the provincial government.

In a media release, the province said laboratory results on Thursday confirmed anthrax was the reason for the sudden deaths of the animals in the RM of Chester, located about 115 kilometres east of Regina.

The province’s chief veterinary officer, Dr. Betty Althouse, hasn’t indicated what type of animal was affected, but said it was in “farmed livestock species.”

Althouse said ruminants — such as bison, cattle, sheep and goats — are highly susceptible to the disease and horses can be infected, too. Farm dogs and cats should also be kept away from carcasses.

Affected animals are usually found dead without any signs of illness. However, if they’re alive, Althouse noted, it’s noticeable they’re infected.

“They’d be bleeding from the nose or have severe respiratory distress — animals that look very, very sick. But usually, they’re just found dead,” she said.

Althouse emphasized this type of anthrax is not the same kind many have heard of being sent in envelopes as bioterrorism.

“What you’d hear going through the mail is specifically modified spores that were extra infectious and more easily aerosolized than the traditional anthrax is,” she explained. “The normal anthrax that occurs in animals on the Prairies is not at all that contagious.”

Anthrax is caused by the Bacillus antracis bacteria, which can survive as a spore for decades in soil.

Changes in soil moisture, such as flooding and drying, can lead to the buildup of spores in pastures. The spores can also be found in sloughs and potholes. Althouse said the risk of animal exposure to anthrax increases in drier years.

“Pastures dry up, then the grazing animals might move into the slough to graze and then they’ll pull up clumps of grass with the infected soil attached,” she explained.

Anthrax can be prevented by vaccination. Althouse encourages producers to vaccinate their animals every year.

Anyone who suspects the presence of anthrax should contact their local veterinarian immediately for a diagnosis.

Producers are advised to use caution when handling potentially infected animals or carcasses. Animal cases pose minimal risk to humans, but people can get infected through direct contact with sick animals or carcasses.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a corrected story, reflecting the actual RM in which the case occurred. The government supplied incorrect information in its initial media release.