The department of veterinary services (DVS) said Malaysia has remained free of anthrax since the last reported case to the World Organisation for Animal Health in 1976.

However, it said it is taking the outbreak seriously and has asked the Thai authorities about their contingency plan for managing the situation.

“Malaysia imports live cattle and buffalo from Thailand, and all livestock entering the country must undergo strict veterinary inspections before being allowed in,” it said in a statement this morning.

“The DVS remains vigilant and seeks an assurance from Thailand that no animals and animal products suspected of being from high-risk areas of anthrax are exported to Malaysia.”

It said it has also requested the Thai authorities to provide updates, and measures taken to control the movement of animals and animal products within the country.

Anthrax is a rare but serious disease caused by bacteria, typically transmitted through contact with infected animals or the consumption of contaminated meat, and is not spread from person to person.

The DVS said the disease can infect livestock and humans through direct contact with spores produced by the bacteria and can cause high mortality rates in livestock.

It said the clinical signs of this disease in livestock include sudden death, high fever, weakness and lethargy, swelling in the infected area, especially in the neck, vomiting and diarrhoea and, in some cases, bleeding from the nose, mouth, or anus of the livestock.

“Malaysia has been free from anthrax since the last case reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in 1976. To date, there have been no reports of anthrax in the country,” it said. “However, the disease is always active.”

It said farmers should immediately report to the DVS if they notice any of the symptoms.