Fatal anthrax bacteria was found in a cow at a Wiltshire farm – a first after the last animal contamination case in the UK was identified in 2006. Despite the news, an official from county council said there have been no signs of human infections detected following the case.
Mike Wade, deputy director of Health Protection for Public Health England South West said that they are aware of the confirmed anthrax disease contamination of a cow in Westbury, Wiltshire. He added that the risk of infection among humans, who were noted to have close contacts with the animal, is significantly low. When the news was confirmed, he said that their group communicated with possible human contacts to offer public health advice and other services.
Maggie Rae, director of public health and corporate director of Wiltshire Council attested that she is confident that there have been no exposures of the bacteria to those who came in contact with the now-dead cow. "We worked with our partners both locally and nationally and swift action was taken to deal with the immediate risk," she said.
Rae said they have been monitoring the limited number of people, who were known to have had contact with the infected cow. She added that the period between bacterial exposure and manifestations of illness is about 72 hours, which is quite short. So far, all the human contacts under observation have shown no indicators of infection.
At present, Rae said the most vital move to implement, which has already been performed, is to make sure that the infected cow was incinerated and disposed with utmost safety.
Rae iterated that they are aware that the risk is low; however, as expected, their team is taking the issue very seriously and that they will exert all efforts to aid local and national officials to keep Wiltshire protected.
People have been restricted from entering Dilton Marsh, with about 1.2 miles of the footpath already put to a close. The move is said to be a precautionary measure, but with the 72-hour period of restriction so far, Rae said her team is confident that there have been no exposures.
The food sector has also been deemed safe for consumers as the council also confirmed that no cattle from the farm had penetrated the food chain.
Anthrax is a bacterial infection, which mainly affects herbivorous animals and all mammals. Human cases of the disease is considered rare, with the last reported disease documented in 2008.
"It is unusual but not unheard of," said a spokesperson from the National Farmers' Union (NFU). Their sympathies go out to the farmer affected by the recent case as the public need not to worry. They are not sure if the said farmer is a member of NFU but they will offer assistance.
Photo: Catherine Singleton | Flickr
