Saskatchewan has seen 24 cases of anthrax at five locations this year, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Sixteen cattle and eight bison contracted the fatal disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium called bacillus anthracis.
Betty Althouse, CFIA veterinary program specialist, said there is no cause for alarm with this year’s cases, which are widely dispersed.
“It’s on par with a normal situation year that you would see,” she said.
There were more premises but fewer animals affected last year, with 2006 seeing the biggest spike in cases. There have been no cases in Alberta and Manitoba this year.
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Althouse said outbreaks follow cycles of wet followed by dry conditions, with anthrax typically found in Saskatchewan because of its large land base and the large amount of spores present in the soil.
She recommended that producers at risk or previously affected by anthrax outbreaks vaccinate their animals annually.
“The vaccines work very well,” she said.
Producers need to be vigilant in protecting their animals by checking pastures, monitoring sudden deaths and following up when anthrax is suspected.
Animals generally acquire the reportable disease from a contaminated environment while humans usually get it from infected animals or through exposure to contaminated animal products.
