Anthrax in cattle and buffaloes is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can spread to humans if not controlled promptly. Vemedim presents this article to help livestock farmers better understand the disease mechanism, recognize symptoms, and implement effective preventive measures.
Causes of anthrax in cattle and buffaloes
Anthrax (also known as Anthrax disease) is an acute or peracute infectious disease in buffaloes, cattle, and many other warm-blooded animals. The disease progresses very rapidly, causing septicemia, blood poisoning, and often leading to sudden death. It can also spread to humans if they come into contact with infected livestock, so special attention must be paid to prevention and outbreak control.
Understanding the causative agent and the conditions in which the bacterium survives helps livestock farmers manage and prevent the disease effectively.
Causative agent
The disease is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The bacterium is relatively weak against heat and light, but its spores are highly durable and can survive for 20–30 years in soil and 15 months in livestock manure. The spores are only destroyed when a specific disinfectant is used in sufficient concentration and for an adequate amount of time.
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Modes of transmission
The disease spreads mainly through the following routes:
- Digestive route: bacteria or spores enter the body through feed and drinking water, invade the intestines, and multiply. This is the main route of transmission.
- Skin route: enters through abrasions, commonly seen in people slaughtering infected buffaloes, cattle, or horses.
- Respiratory route: inhalation of dust containing spores or bacteria in the air.
Conditions for disease onset
- The disease can occur year-round but is concentrated in hot, humid, and rainy seasons (July, August, September).
- The disease spreads from endemic areas to other regions mainly through the transport of livestock or contaminated products.
- Mountainous areas in northern Vietnam are prone to outbreaks because spores can persist in the soil for a long time.
Symptoms of anthrax in cattle and buffaloes
Symptoms vary depending on the disease form and incubation period (1–2 weeks). Monitoring clinical signs helps with early detection and timely intervention.
1. Peracute form
- Appears suddenly; livestock tremble, swell on both sides of the cheeks, have difficulty breathing, stop eating, and sweat.
- Mucous membranes are red or purple, high fever of 40.5–42.5°C, teeth grinding, tongue protruding, convulsions, coma, collapse.
- Blood may ooze from the vulva or anus; mortality is nearly 100%.
2. Acute form
- Develops within 24–48 hours, with high fever of 40–42°C.
- Livestock are lethargic, short of breath, and have dark red mucous membranes.
- Diarrhea or dysentery, black stools mixed with blood, bloody urine.
- Congestion and hemorrhage of external mucous membranes, swelling of the throat and chest, and pink frothy discharge mixed with blood from the nose.
- Dairy buffaloes and cattle suddenly produce less milk; pregnant cows may abort; mortality is about 80%.
3. Subacute form
The disease progresses more slowly, with fever, reduced appetite, swelling in some skin areas, and redness and bleeding of the eye, nose, and anus mucous membranes. These may be the only symptoms before death, which occurs about 2–3 days later.
4. Cutaneous form
Hemorrhage in the neck and chest causes localized swelling and edema; initially painful and necrotic, then develops into red ulcerative lesions that discharge yellowish-red fluid.
Prevention and treatment of anthrax in cattle and buffaloes
Severe anthrax in cattle and buffaloes is almost impossible to cure, so prevention is the most important measure.
Preventive measures
- Report to veterinary authorities when infected livestock are detected.
- Isolate sick livestock; absolutely do not slaughter or transport them.
Clean and disinfect barns and pens:
- Use Vemedim Altacid for disinfection.
- In infected barns: burn straw and manure; disinfect, scrape off the topsoil, and bury or dispose of it properly.
- Carcasses of dead livestock must be incinerated and the ashes buried deeply; never open the carcass.
Use vaccines for prevention:
- Pasteur spore vaccine: inject livestock; immunity develops after 15 days, with effectiveness lasting more than 1 year.
- Vemedim Penicillin 4,000,000 IU: Injectable powder antibiotic for treating anthrax in cattle and buffaloes, used by mixing with distilled water or saline for intramuscular injection. Dosage: 5,000–10,000 IU/kg body weight/day; or 1 vial for 400–800 kg body weight/day. Withdrawal period: Meat: 15 days; Milk: 3 days (6 milkings)
Note:
- Only vaccinate healthy livestock; avoid vaccinating animals that are feverish or ill.
- Avoid spillage; if any vaccine remains unused, it must be disposed of.
- Livestock may have allergic reactions to the vaccine: intervene with antiserum or antibiotics when necessary.
Treatment measures
Treatment with serum and antibiotics is only effective when the disease is detected early.
- Immediately isolate infected livestock.
- Disinfect and dispose of severely ill animals according to veterinary instructions.
Safety notes:
- The disease can spread to humans, so unauthorized persons should not come into contact with sick livestock.
- Do not eat meat or products from infected livestock.
- Disinfect thoroughly after contact to prevent spread.
Proactive vaccination, maintaining barn hygiene, properly disposing of carcasses of sick cattle and buffaloes, and strictly following biosecurity measures are the keys to preventing anthrax in cattle and buffaloes. When livestock farmers implement these measures in a coordinated manner, along with technical support from Vemedim, the ability to protect healthy cattle and buffalo herds and ensure human safety will be optimized.
