[October 16, 1901 – Auckland Star] We regret to learn that another case of the dreaded cattle disease, anthrax, has occurred in the neighbourhood of Auckland. This time the outbreak is of small extent, only two animals as yet having been lost. The cases occurred in the Mount Albert district on a small five acre property.
First a dairy cow died suddenly under mysterious circumstances, but no suspicion of anthrax was apparently aroused. Immediately afterwards another animal on the same place died, when the matter came to the knowledge of the local Stock Department, and a stock inspector, accompanied by a Government veterinary surgeon, went at once to investigate the circumstances.
A post-mortem examination was made of the second beast that had died, and specimens taken and sent to Wellington for bacteriological examination. The result is that the experts of the Agricultural Department have pronounced the case one of anthrax. Since the case has come under the cognizance of the Stock Department here every available precaution has been taken to minimise the risk of the spread of the disease from the infected centre. The carcase of second victim has been deeply buried in lime, and the place, with the animals which have been in contact with those that have died, have been quarantined.
The local officials are fully alive to the necessities of the case as regards preventive measures, and there is no cause for serious alarm. At the same time it is well to draw the attention of stock owners to the great importance of notifying the Stock Department without delay in the case of the sudden death of any animal. To do this is a clear public duty, so that so far as possible, under the present inadequate powers of the Agricultural Department, measures may be taken to stamp out this virulent disease before it becomes at all widespread.