Agriculture ministry urges caution after anthrax kills nine animals in RM of Piapot

After confirmed cases of anthrax caused the deaths of nine ruminant animals in the southwestern RM of Piapot, Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture is warning producers to be on the lookout for signs of the disease.

The infectious disease is caused by bacteria that can survive for decades in soil, the government said, and changes in soil moisture can lead to a buildup of the spores in pasture areas.

The spores can then become concentrated in sloughs in potholes, leading to increased risk of animal exposure in drier years. The bacterial spores can also rise to the surface when ground is excavated, or during heavy runoffs.

Livestock such as cattle, sheep, bison and goats are highly susceptible to anthrax, the ministry said, but it can also affect horses, cats and dogs. Swine, birds and carnivores tend to be more resistant to infection.

Anthrax can be prevented with vaccination, and the ministry strongly encouraged producers in areas where outbreaks have previously been reported to vaccinate their animals annually.

“Animals affected by anthrax are typically found dead without any signs of illness,” the ministry said in a news release Wednesday. “The carcasses of any animal suspected of having anthrax should not be moved or disturbed and should be protected from scavengers such as coyotes or ravens, to prevent spreading spores in the environment.”

Suspected anthrax should be reported to local veterinarians for diagnosis, the ministry said.

Cases of anthrax in animals “pose minimal risk to humans,” but people can become infected through contact with sick animals or carcasses. Anyone who suspects they have been exposed to an infected animal should contact their doctor or the Saskatchewan Health Authority for advice, the ministry said.