New disease in French cattle herds: several anthrax outbreaks

Nowa choroba we francuskich stadach bydła: jest kilka ognisk wąglika

Another virus is attacking cattle herds in France. Bluetongue and hemorrhagic fever are joined by anthrax, which is also dangerous to humans. Several outbreaks of the disease have been detected in the Cantal department, in south-central France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Dead cows in the pastures

These are the latest cases of the disease in the region, as the first outbreak occurred in July, in a summer pasture in the commune of Collandres, reports La France Agricole. "The implementation of biosecurity measures and the vaccination of cattle from the herd infected with anthrax have made it possible to protect the herd," the prefecture in Cantal assured. On August 13, a new outbreak was confirmed. Several dead cows were found in a pasture in the town of Trizac, on plots adjacent to the first case. The prefecture has introduced the same health measures and vaccinations.

On August 27, 2024, the carcasses of three cattle were again discovered in the summer pastures of Trizac. "There is a suspicion of a third outbreak of the disease. Analyses are ongoing," admitted the same prefecture. "Without waiting for confirmation of the disease by the national reference laboratory, the farm is placed under surveillance with a ban on animals leaving the farm and the pastures where they are located," assured the local authorities.

Disease transmitted to humans

The Cantal prefecture also reassures that cases of human infection with anthrax from cattle are rare and result from direct contact or consumption of contaminated meat. Only in the case of people who have direct contact with dead animals is there a risk of infection. "In collaboration with the Regional Health Agency, everyone has been identified and referred to the attending physician to benefit from prophylactic antibiotic therapy if necessary," assured the department authorities.

Restrictions for residents

As a preventive measure, in addition to the ban on entering the infected zone, residents were instructed to keep dogs on a leash and cats locked up, not to touch any dead animals, and not to pick flowers, berries, or mushrooms. An emergency number was also activated to report suspicious cases.

“Anthrax episodes in France have never revealed cases of transmission to humans through the drinking water network,” the prefecture assures. However, water quality monitoring has been introduced as a precaution.