Saskatchewan government doesn’t expect more deaths in small anthrax outbreak

The Government of Saskatchewan says it doesn’t anticipate any more deaths related to the small anthrax outbreak in the Rural Municipality of Paynton.

The outbreak claimed the lives of two cows according to a May 13 test result, prompting the province to remind producers to be on the lookout for anthrax in their animals.

“In relation to this outbreak, the producer was very quick to respond,” said Dr. Wendy Wilkins, the provincial disease surveillance veterinarian with the Ministry of Agriculture.

“The animals have been treated, they’ve been vaccinated, and they are well on their way to be being fully protected from further incidences.”

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As a provincially reportable disease, Wilkins said the province advises anyone who knows or suspects the presence of anthrax in their animals to report to the Ministry of Agriculture within 24 hours.

“Anthrax survives in the soil in spore form. So it’s not growing, it’s not really alive, but it’s very resistant,” Wilkins said.

“It stays there in the soil and it survives for years, if not decades until an animal such as a cow comes along picks it up, ingests it and then once it’s inside the animal, it starts to grow very rapidly.”

Wilkins said producers won’t be able to confirm if an animal has anthrax without a lab test, but one of the early signs is the animal dying.

“But there’s lots of reasons why livestock die. So while anthrax is at the top of our differential list, it’s not always the first thing we think of,” she said.

“The veterinarian is called by the producer to examine the dead animal. The veterinarian collects samples, send them to the laboratory. The laboratory finds anthrax and they report it to us, and then we take it from there.”

Wilkins added that an animal might be filled with billions of bacteria by the time it dies.

Because of this, it’s advised that infected carcasses not be moved or opened, preventing the spread of the bacteria.

“The preferred way of destroying them is incinerating them. Burning them is the only thing that’s known to reliably kill those anthrax spores and get rid of them permanently,” she said.

If burning is not an option, it is recommended that the carcasses be buried 15 feet deep.

Wilkins said this was the first recorded case in 2025. Cases were also recorded in 2023 and 2022.

She said producers concerned about anthrax or have had known cases in their area should strongly consider having their animals vaccinated.

Josef Buttigieg of Fenek Farms said anthrax hasn’t been prevalent in the herds of his area, which is about 25 kilometres north of Regina.

Buttigieg said he vaccinates his sheep and cattle.

“Anthrax is very dangerous to humans, not only animals. So there’s that concern, but it’s also the concern as a producer of losing your flock or your herd to that disease when it’s something that can be prevented,” Buttigieg said.

He said there’s “quite a bit” of good communication between producers, vets and the province in terms of monitoring and controlling cases.

On the side of producers, Buttigieg said it comes down to pasture management and luck.

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