Anthrax has been detected at a second beef cattle property in the Shepparton region, following the first detection at a neighbouring property on February 9.
One cow has died, while the remaining livestock are being vaccinated.
A total of 10 beef cattle have died across the two properties.
Agriculture Victoria veterinarians and animal health staff are working with livestock owners in the region to assist with surveillance and vaccinations where necessary.
Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke said the second detection was not unexpected in northern Victoria, particularly during summer, assisted by the long survival of spores in the soil.
“Local farmers, veterinarians and Agriculture Victoria are well prepared to handle these incidents, with quarantine and biosecurity arrangements in place and vaccinations underway for potentially exposed livestock,” Dr Cooke said.
The first cases were reported from a property north-east of Shepparton on Friday, February 9.
Agriculture Victoria provides funding to private veterinarians for a basic anthrax exclusion in cattle and sheep.
Anthrax is an infectious zoonotic bacterial disease of animals, caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
Grazing animals including cattle and sheep are infected through ingesting spores present in contaminated soils, while browsers like deer may ingest the pathogen on contaminated foliage.
Once ingested, the bacteria produces potent toxins that cause the clinical signs of anthrax including fever, inappetence, lethargy or sudden death, often with a blood-stained emission visible at the nose, mouth and/or anus.
Farmers can report any cases of unexplained deaths to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, to a local vet, or to Agriculture Victoria animal health staff on 136 186.