'Anthrax district' declared in Dalmatia

After several deadly cases of bovine anthrax over the past few days in the Dalmatian hinterland, the Ministry of Agriculture has declared a so-called 'anthrax district' and the mass vaccination of all susceptible ungulates is underway. 

The anthrax district includes three municipalities in Split-Dalmatia County and seven municipalities in Šibenik-Knin County.

"The two samples we sent in on Friday come back positive, while two of my cows who died on Monday did not have the disease," said rancher Željko Vuletić, "So, I guess somebody didn't take the proper samples or they messed up the results. Of course I'm going to vaccinate my cattle. This should have been done a long time ago."

Since the infection is dangerous to both people and animals, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Ivan Matijević, has called on all citizens, especially livestock owners, to be cautious, behave responsibly and cooperate with the veterinary service.

"The recommendation of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Croatian Institute of Public Health is for people to not visit or walk around the infected area. The anthrax bacteria creates very dangerous spores when it comes in contact with oxygen that people can inhale and become infected. We know that the vaccine creates antibodies, that is, livestock gain immunity after 14 to 21 days. After that, there should be no more illness or deaths," said Matijević.

At the same time, many ranchers continue to doubt the government's findings. They find it extremely unlikely for the bacteria to appear at the same time at a dozen separate ranches, despite the cattle never coming in contact with each other.

There are currently eight so-called 'anthrax districts' in Croatia, with one in Sisak-Moslavina County near Lonjsko Polje. There, rancher Miško Šklempe, who has 250 head of cattle and 150 horses, expects the entire county to remain in the 'anthrax district' for the next half century; calling it a never ending story of government measures and mandated vaccines.

Three years ago when the outbreak occurred, his farm did not have a single death from bovine anthrax.