The prefect of Côte-d'Or assures that “state services are taking the necessary measures to contain the disease”.
Press release from the prefect of Côte-d’Or of November 22, 2024:
On November 22, 2024, an outbreak of anthrax was confirmed on a cattle farm located in the commune of Seigny in the Côte-d'Or department. Investigations have shown that the case is limited to a single cattle having grazed since April on the plot at the origin of an outbreak in 2021.
Health management measures were applied as soon as anthrax was suspected, in close collaboration between the operator, its health veterinarian, the Côte-d'Or departmental laboratory, the regional health agency (ARS), under the coordination of the departmental directorate for the protection of populations of Côte-d'Or (DDPP21).
The cattle farm concerned was therefore placed under surveillance and then declared infected, with the following prevention and management measures:
• Visit, census and clinical examination of animals of species susceptible to anthrax (cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, carnivores, poultry, etc.) present on the farm;
• Antibiotic treatment of any symptomatic cattle and vaccination of others;
• Prohibition of access to contaminated pastures;
• Disinfection of premises, equipment, bedding and soiled fodder;
All the people who handled the corpse of the bovine affected by the disease were, in conjunction with the ARS, identified and referred to their treating doctor in order to benefit from preventive antibiotic treatment.
What is anthrax or anthrax?
The bacteria responsible is Bacillus anthracis which survives for a very long time (several decades) in the external environment in the form of spores in the soil. It is therefore a so-called telluric disease, which remains local.
Most mammals are susceptible to the disease, but it mainly affects herbivorous animals. Indeed, during work or under favorable climatic conditions (for example an episode of drought followed by heavy rain), the spores can rise to the surface of the soil; the animals then become contaminated by grazing on the grass.
The disease manifests itself in animals in the form of high fever, with general, circulatory, hemorrhagic, digestive and urinary symptoms, and progresses to death within a few days.
How are animals infected?
The most common form of transmission in animals remains ingestion by grazing on land contaminated by bacteria in sporulated form.
What is the risk of contamination to humans?
Humans can be contaminated by skin contact (for example handling infected animal carcasses), by inhalation of aerosols or by ingestion of contaminated products. Person-to-person transmission of anthrax has never been observed.
How to treat and prevent the disease?
Whether in animals or humans, antibiotics are effective against anthrax. The best way to limit its spread remains the vaccination of animals.
Breeders and veterinarians suspecting a case of the disease are invited to contact the DDPP21 services as soon as possible on 03 80 29 43 53.
What is the origin of the infection?
The current epidemiological investigation suspects the burial of corpses of affected animals, at an ancient time when rendering was not yet in place.
Beyond professional activities related to farm animals, general prevention measures in the areas concerned make it possible to protect against any possible contamination. It is therefore advisable, in the commune of Seigny, to respect pasture enclosures, not to touch animals found dead, to keep dogs on a leash and not to pick wild berries and mushrooms at ground level.
Compliance with these simple instructions ensures that there is no risk to the population.
To find out more:
https://agriculture.gouv.fr/questions-reponses-la-…
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