Early reporting by farmers and fast action by Agriculture Victoria animal health staff and local veterinarians saw the effective containment of a small outbreak of anthrax in the Shepparton region in February.
Anthrax was detected at two properties which were immediately quarantined, and which ultimately saw the death of 10 cattle.
AgVic chief veterinary officer Graeme Cooke praised the efforts of farmers in reporting the disease early.
“We are grateful to landholders and private vets for swiftly supporting the vaccination and surveillance efforts and ensuring the right measures were in place to effectively limit the spread,” Dr Cooke said.
“Following (those) detections, Agriculture Victoria has successfully vaccinated all livestock thought to be at risk.”
Agriculture Victoria maintains a stock of vaccine for use in anthrax responses and vaccination is carried out at no cost to the farmer by AgVic staff or a private veterinarian engaged by AgVic.
The affected properties were quarantined for 20 days following the completion of vaccination of all stock.
Anthrax is caused by the naturally occurring soil bacteria Bacillus anthracis.
Incidents of anthrax detected in cattle and sheep in the region occur during the warmer and drier months when cattle and sheep forage deeper into the soil when grazing.
Anthrax does not spread rapidly and is not contagious for humans, nor does it impact food safety.
Any risk is confined to people who handle dead livestock such as farmers, veterinarians and knackery workers.
Farmers are urged to report any cases of unexplained deaths to the 24-hour hotline on 1800 675 888 or their local vet.