The Veterinary Authority of Lesotho has reported three anthrax outbreaks to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The first outbreak started on 12 May 2019 and a total of 24 cattle were reported to have died of anthrax.
What is Anthrax?
Anthrax is a disease of humans and warm-blooded animals and is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Animals become infected by eating or licking material that is contaminated with spores or breathing in the spores. These spores are formed when the bacteria are exposed to oxygen in the event that an animal that died of anthrax is cut open. The spores are resistant and survive for long periods (up to decades) in the environment. Humans most commonly contract the disease through contact with anthrax infected animals or animal products such as meat.
How can livestock owners protect their livestock?
- Make sure that their livestock are vaccinated against anthrax once every 12 months with a registered vaccine
- Report any sudden deaths of livestock with blood oozing from carcass openings to their responsible State Veterinarian, private veterinarian or animal health technician for investigation
- Do not open up any carcasses of animals that have died suddenly
- Only purchase livestock that look healthy from a trustworthy source
- How can consumers protect themselves from contracting anthrax?
Make sure that the meat you buy originates from an abattoir that is registered in terms of the Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act No. 40 of 2000). Animals slaughtered at these abattoirs are inspected before and after slaughter and only meat that is passed fit for human consumption is released from these registered abattoirs
- Do not open up any carcasses of animals that have died suddenly
- Do not eat or handle the meat of animals that have died suddenly
- Only slaughter animals for own consumption when there are no signs of disease or deaths in the animal and the herd
- What is the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) doing to protect the national herd?
DAFF Directorate: Animal Health is in contact with the Veterinary Authority of Lesotho to ensure safe trade while the anthrax outbreaks are ongoing. A ban has been imposed on imports from Lesotho into South Africa of live animals susceptible to anthrax and products of these animals, including wool.
For technical enquiries kindly contact:
Mariétta Bronkhorst - Deputy Director: Disease Control
Tel: 012 319 7481
E-mail: MariettaB@daff.gov.za
For media enquiries contact:
Mr Zweli Silangwe -Acting Chief Director: Stakeholder Relations and Communications
Cell: 076 925 9875
E-mail: ZweliS@daff.gov.za
