British health officials investigating the first case of anthrax in British cattle in four years say they have taken urgent steps to ensure the public isn't at risk from the potentially fatal bacteria.
They acted after confirming that two cows were killed by the highly contagious infection. The cases occurred on a beef farm in south Wales, the cattle being among five cows that had died on the farm, in Rhondda Cynon Taff, this month.
The carcasses of the two cows have been burnt on site in accordance with rules for controlling the disease. The other dead cattle have also been incinerated. Anthrax was confirmed on the same farm about 35 years ago. Under certain conditions, anthrax spores may persist for many years. Investigators are looking at whether the current outbreak is linked.
The Welsh assembly said that no cattle from the herd of 35 animals had been sent to market for almost 12 months.
by John Gregerson on Wednesday, April 26, 2006