Bull Falls Ill with Anthrax in Southern Finland
Image: YLE
A young bull was diagnosed with anthrax on Thursday in the region of Päijät-Häme, southern Finland.
The infected animal was immediately put down. Authorities say the disease hasn't been spotted in other animals. However one cow at the farm has a fever. Fever and haemorrhaging are the most common symptoms of the disease.
Currently the animals are restricted to the farm area. Their condition will be tracked for at least two weeks.
Authorities don't yet know how the bull contracted the disease. Senior Veterinary Officer Sirpa Kiviruusu of the Finnish Food Safety Authority says she suspects the animal got sick after eating feed contaminated with soil. Anthrax bacteria exist in soil as spores.
Anthrax was detected at the same farm in 2004. In rare cases, humans can fall ill with the disease.