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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Anthrax case confirmed on farm in Westbury, Wiltshire | Anthrax case confirmed on farm in Westbury, Wiltshire |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A case of anthrax has been confirmed in a cow on a farm in Wiltshire, Public Health England has said. | A case of anthrax has been confirmed in a cow on a farm in Wiltshire, Public Health England has said. |
| This case was "rapidly detected" after the death of the animal in Westbury last week. The cow has been incinerated and movement restrictions are in place. | |
| Public Health England said any risk of infection to those who were in close contact with the animal was "very low". | Public Health England said any risk of infection to those who were in close contact with the animal was "very low". |
| Anthrax is a bacterial disease which primarily affects grazing animals, although all mammals are susceptible. | Anthrax is a bacterial disease which primarily affects grazing animals, although all mammals are susceptible. |
| Analysis | |
| James Gallagher, BBC Health and Science reporter | |
| Many people will be familiar with anthrax for its potential as a biological weapon, however, it is an extremely rare infection in Western Europe. | |
| Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis and can be deadly but it struggles to spread from one animal to another or between people. | |
| It largely survives as spores that hide away in soil for years before entering an animal through a cut or wound. | |
| There is a potential risk from eating contaminated meat, however, the infected cow's remains have been destroyed. | |
| Traditionally the people most at risk have been those who handle dead animals, such as abattoir workers. | |
| Anthrax can be treated with antibiotics but treatment needs to start soon after infection. | |
| Human cases of anthrax are very rare - the last case occurred in 2008. | Human cases of anthrax are very rare - the last case occurred in 2008. |
| Mike Wade, deputy director of health protection for Public Health England South West, said public health advice had been offered to any potential contacts. | Mike Wade, deputy director of health protection for Public Health England South West, said public health advice had been offered to any potential contacts. |