Anthrax

Article 8.1.1.

General provisions

This chapter is intended to manage the human and animal health risks associated with the presence of Bacillusanthracis(B. anthracis) in commodities and the environment.

There is no evidence that anthrax is transmitted by animals before the onset of clinical and pathological signs. Early detection of outbreaks, quarantine of affected premises, destruction of diseased animals and fomites, and implementation of appropriate sanitary procedures at abattoirs and dairy factories will ensure the safety of products of animal origin intended for human consumption.

For the purposes of the Terrestrial Code, the incubation period for anthrax shall be 20 days.

Anthrax should be notifiable in the whole country.

When authorising import or transit of commodities covered in the chapter, with the exception of those listed in Article 8.1.2., Veterinary Authorities should require the conditions prescribed in this chapter.

Standards for diagnostic tests and vaccines are described in the Terrestrial Manual.

Article 8.1.2.

Safe commodities

When authorising import or transit of the following commodities, Veterinary Authorities should not require any anthrax-related conditions: semen and embryos collected and processed in accordance with Chapters 4.5., 4.6., 4.7., 4.8. and 4.9., as relevant.

Article 8.1.3.

Recommendations for the importation of ruminants, equids and pigs

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the animals:

1. showed no clinical sign of anthrax on the day of shipment;

AND

2. were kept for the 20 days prior to shipment in an establishment where no case of anthrax was officially declared during that period; or

3. were vaccinated, not less than 20 days and not more than 12  months prior to shipment in accordance with the Terrestrial Manual.

Article 8.1.4.

Recommendations for the importation of fresh meat and meat products destined for human consumption

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the products originate from animals that:

1. have shown no sign of anthrax during ante- and post-mortem inspections; and

2. were not vaccinated against anthrax using live vaccine during the 14 days prior to slaughter or a longer period depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations; and

3. come from establishments that are not placed under movement restrictions for the control of anthrax and where there has been no case of anthrax during the 20 days prior to slaughter.

Article 8.1.5.

Recommendations for the importation of hides, skins and hair (from ruminants, equids and pigs)

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that:

1. the products originate from animals that:

   1. have shown no sign of anthrax during ante- and post-mortem inspections; and

   2. come from establishments that are not placed under movement restrictions for the control of anthrax;

OR

2. hair from ruminants or equids has been treated in accordance with the recommendations in Article 8.1.11.

Article 8.1.6.

Recommendations for the importation of wool

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the product:

1. originates from live animals; and

2. originates from animals that, at the time of shearing, were part of a flock that was not subject to movement restrictions for the control of anthrax;

OR

3. has been treated in accordance with the recommendations in Article 8.1.11.

Article 8.1.7.

Recommendations for the importation of milk and milk products intended for human consumption

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that:

1. the milk originates from animals showing no clinical sign of anthrax at the time of milking;

2. if the milk originates from herds or flocks that have had a case of anthrax within the previous 20 days, it has been chilled promptly and processed using a heat treatment at least equivalent to pasteurisation.

Article 8.1.8.

Recommendations for the importation of bristles (from pigs)

Veterinary Authorities of importing countries should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the products originate from animals which:

1. have shown no sign of anthrax during ante- and post-mortem inspections; and

2. come from establishments that are not placed under movement restrictions for the control of anthrax;

OR

3. have been processed to ensure the destruction of B. anthracis by boiling for 60 minutes.

Article 8.1.9.

Procedures for the inactivation of B. anthracis spores in skins and trophies from wild animals

In situations in which skins and trophies from wild animals may be contaminated with B. anthracis spores, the following disinfection procedure is recommended:

1. fumigation with ethylene oxide 500 mg/litre, at relative humidity 20–40%, at 55°C for 30 minutes; or

2. fumigation with formaldehyde 400 mg/m³ at relative humidity 30%, at >15°C for 4 hours; or

3. gamma irradiation with a dose of 40 kilogray.
   

Article 8.1.10.

Procedures for the inactivation of B. anthracis spores in bone-meal and meat-and-bone meal

In situations where raw materials used to produce bone meal or meat-and-bone meal may be contaminated with B. anthracis spores, the following inactivation procedures should be used:

1. the raw material should be reduced to a maximum particle size of 50 mm before heating; and

2. the raw material should be subjected to moist heat at one of the following temperature and time regimes:

   1. 105°C for at least 8 minutes; or

   2. 100°C for at least 10 minutes; or

   3. 95°C for at least 25 minutes; or

   4. 90°C for at least 45 minutes;

OR

3. the raw material should be subjected to dry heat at one of the following temperature and time regimes:

   1. 130°C for at least 20 minutes; or

   2. 125°C for at least 25 minutes; or

   3. 120°C for at least 45 minutes;

OR

4. an industrial process demonstrated to be of equivalent efficacy.
   

Article 8.1.11.

Procedures for the inactivation of B. anthracis spores in wool and hair

In situations in which wool or hair may be contaminated with B. anthracis spores, the following procedures are recommended:

1. gamma irradiation with a dose of 25 kilogray; or

2. a five-step washing procedure:

   1. immersion in 0.25–0.3% soda liquor for 10 minutes at 40.5°C;

   2. immersion in soap liquor for 10 minutes at 40.5°C;

   3. immersion in 2% formaldehyde solution for 10 minutes at 40.5°C;

   4. a second immersion in 2% formaldehyde solution for 10 minutes at 40.5°C;

   5. rinsing on cold water followed by drying in hot air.

nb: first adopted in 1968; most recent update adopted in 2011.