Cows with anthrax were confirmed on Monday on a farm in Staszkovce in the Stropkov district of eastern Slovakia near the Polish border.
The disease was detected in two herds of cows of 150 and 120 animals on a private farm owned for 20 years by Milan Homza.
The head of the regional veterinary office in Svidnik, Michał Zuzulak, stated that “so far we cannot talk about an epidemic”. The anthrax bacteria killed four cows from the farm. Vaccination of the others is underway. According to the head of the veterinary office, “animals are clinically healthy”.
However, the sale of meat and milk from infected farms is prohibited throughout the region. The farm has been closed. The quarantine will last 30 days. The Slovak Ministry of Economy assured that the meat of contaminated cows did not enter the commercial network.
Slovak public radio reported that three cows from the farm were sold to Poland. However, this information has not been officially confirmed. Milan Homza says no animal has been sold since March this year.
Vets suspect that the animals have contracted the infection in pastures where fallen cows and sheep were buried a few years ago. Recent intense rainfall could wash the soil and release dangerous bacteria that can survive underground for up to several dozen years.
Anthrax is a bacterial disease that affects cattle, horses and sheep. From animals, anthrax can spread to humans. Infection usually occurs through the consumption of meat from fallen animals. The disease is often fatal.
From Bratislava, Andrzej Niewiadowski (PAP)
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