Anthrax continues to spread on the Prairies with 136 new deaths reported from Aug. 1-4.
The record breaking level of infection has claimed 633 animals so far, including a death on a Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration pasture near Ituna, Sask., last week.
Last week, the outbreak spread to two more rural municipalities in Manitoba and five in Saskatchewan, bringing the total to seven in Manitoba and 30 in Saskatchewan.
In Manitoba, 16 premises have been quarantined with 109 livestock deaths taking place. In Saskatchewan, 105 positive farms or pastures have been identified as having the disease present, resulting in 524 animals dying.
Vaccinations are underway in pastures within 10 kilometres of positive premises and in other areas that might be prone to infection.
Farmers need to remain aware of the risk to cattle where spring flooding or significant drought brings them into contact with previously soggy soils, said Chris Clark of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. He said the anthrax problem will likely persist until cooler temperatures arrive in September.
