Saskatchewan, Canada, is experiencing its worst anthrax year on record. Animal health authorities have quarantined more than 28 premises in Saskatchewan for suspected anthrax contamination and have deemed 113 cattle deaths suspicious as of July 12.


On July 6, Saskatchewan Agriculture officials issued a bulletin warning farmers in the area to keep an eye out for the disease, and encouraging them to vaccinate their animals. To make matters worse, veterinarians are facing a localized anthrax vaccine shortage, according to a Star Phoenix article.


Sandra Stephens, DVM, a veterinary program specialist with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said in the article, “It would appear, at this point, we probably have more premises involved than we’ve had in previous cases of anthrax in Saskatchewan.” She expects that number to grow throughout the summer.


More than 7,000 doses of anthrax vaccine were administered following the bulletin, quickly depleting the area’s supply and forcing some cattle owners to nervously await another shipment of 6,500 doses from a Calgary distribution center. The shipment is expected later this week

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