Anthrax: Questions & Answers
What causes Anthrax?
Anthrax is a bacterial infection caused by the organism Bacillus anthracis, which is carried by wild and domestic grass-eating animals in Africa, Asia and some parts of Europe. It is a zoonotic disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans.
The bacterium can exist as spores, which are capable of surviving in the environment, eg in soil.
How does Anthrax arise in the UK?
Anthrax can exist in a very resistant form known as a spore, which allows it to survive in the environment (for example, in the soil) for many years. In the past anthrax spores have been imported into the UK in meat and bone meal or in untreated skins and hides.
Historically, the meat and bone meal was included in livestock feed but this has now been banned due to BSE. The spores on the hides and skins would be washed off during the tanning process at the tannery and dispersed down stream. Certain pastures became contaminated, especially flood plains, and on rare occasions animals grazing on them subsequently would succumb to the disease and die suddenly. However, anthrax is now a rare disease which does not affect large numbers of livestock. The last confirmed case in livestock occurred in 2006.
Is anthrax notifiable?
Anthrax is Notifiable and could be responsible for the sudden unexpected deaths in cattle and pigs. These are reported by the farmer and the Local Veterinary Inspector will discuss the matter with the Divisional Veterinary Manager and agree if an anthrax investigation is necessary.
Who monitors for anthrax among UK farm stock?
Local Veterinary Inspectors are responsible for investigating any suspected cases of anthrax in Great Britain.
What are their roles in checking for anthrax?
Farmers are obliged to report any sudden and unexpected deaths in their livestock. Defra will then ask an Local Veterinary Inspector to investigate any suspected cases of anthrax in Great Britain.
How are the tests carried out?
Blood smears and in some cases tissue smears are taken and examined by the Local Veterinary Inspector in the first instance. Where anthrax cannot be ruled out diagnostic material is sent to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) at Weybridge.
Further information
- Health Protection Agency: Anthrax homepage.
Page last modified:
May 2, 2008