Anthrax in UK (Wiltshire)

A case of anthrax has been treated by government health officials on a Westcountry farm.

The lethal bacterial disease mostly affects herbivores, but mammals and humans can get the infection which causes skin lesions and respiratory collapse.

The rare case was discovered on a farm in Westbury, Wilts following the death of a cow at the end of last week.

Defra said movement restrictions have been imposed at the farm and the animal's carcass was incinerated.

The previous major outbreak in livestock - affecting more than one farm - in the UK was in 2006, but an isolated case was reported in Wales last month.

A government spokesperson said: "An isolated case of anthrax in a cow has been confirmed at a farm in the Westbury area of Wiltshire following the death of a cow at the end of last week.

"This case was rapidly detected and colleagues from Public Health England, Wiltshire Council, DEFRA, Environment Agency and APHA worked swiftly together to take robust action. The cow has been incinerated and movement restrictions are in place at the farm.

"The risk of infection in close human contacts of the animal is very low, and partners are in touch with any potential contacts to offer public health advice however there are no risks to the wider community.

"No other animals have been affected."

The risk to the general public is described as 'extremely low' but it is kept under constant review by experts.

Officials said this recent case involved just one cow and no cattle from the field have entered the food chain, but a local public footpath has been closed as a precaution.

There was an isolated case at a farm in Wales last month, and it is not clear if the two cases are linked.

Mike Wade, deputy director of health protection for Public Health England South West said: "We are aware of a confirmed case of anthrax disease in a cow in the Westbury area of Wiltshire.

"The risk of infection in close human contacts of the animal is very low, and we are in touch with any potential contacts to offer public health advice."

Maggie Rae, director of public health and Wiltshire Council corporate director added: "We worked with our partners both locally and nationally and swift action was taken to deal with the immediate risk.

"We know any risk is low, however as you would expect, we are taking this very seriously and we will be doing everything in our power to support the national and local experts to keep Wiltshire safe."

Defra has warned farmers to look out for signs of infection which can also kill pigs, horses and sheep

A spokesperson said: "Cattle and sheep can die quickly from anthrax, but their carcasses may show no obvious signs of the disease.

"But the length of the illness varies and some animals may have signs of illness for several days before death."