Anthrax

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Anthrax is an acute, highly fatal disease, caused by a spore-forming bacterium called Bacillus anthracis. The disease occurs sporadically and can affect all mammals including humans. Animals generally acquire the disease from a contaminated environment. Humans usually acquire this disease directly from infected animals or via occupational exposure to contaminated animal products.

In Canada, anthrax is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Regulations, and all cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Information we provide for the general public includes:

• Fact Sheet
• Human Health Implications - Public Health Agency of Canada

Information we provide for producers and the livestock sector includes:

• 2011-03-08 - Notice to Industry - Livestock producers encouraged to protect animals from anthrax
• Anthrax Compensation Terms and Conditions, N^o. 2
• Office International des Épizooties, Terrestrial Animal Health Code: Anthrax
• What to expect if your animals may be infected
• World Health Organization, Guidelines for the Surveillance and Control of Anthrax in humans and Animals, Third Edition, 1998