Quiz

The following are some questions about the anthrax case scenario to make you think about real life questions and situations faced following the reporting of a suspected EAD case.

Multi-select

Question

The farmer is anxious to know what’s going on and if his other cows are at risk. What are some key points Sheila should tell the owner now? Check all the relevant boxes.

Answers

Option 1

The cows have died, and it might be from anthrax which is a zoonotic bacterial disease (that can infect humans). It is notifiable in NSW because it poses a serious risk to human and animal health, export markets and farm productivity.

Option 2

Because of the risk of infection, keep yourself and other stock on the property away from the carcasses and the surrounding environment.

Option 3

Do not move or open the carcasses. The most likely way humans are infected with anthrax is through handling carcasses of animals that have died from anthrax. The government vet will advise on carcass disposal.

Option 4

They should stay on the property until government veterinary officer arrives and advises a course of action.

Option 5

You will need to destroy all the cattle on the property to contain the outbreak.

Option 6

There are to be no movements of stock from the property. Even if cattle are headed to the sale that day they are not to move from the property.

Feedback

Sheila should advise the farmer on all of the above except that all his cattle need not be destroyed. Management of Anthrax typically includes vaccinating remaining stock and imposing movement restrictions. Farmer Bill, his family, and any staff or visitors (including Sheila) should stay on the property and wait for the government veterinary officer to arrive.

Solution

Correct
Correct
Correct
Correct
Incorrect
Correct

Multi-choice

Question

Prior to calling Sheila out to the farm, farmer Bill had already committed to help his sister, Joan, with some fencing later this afternoon. Joan raises sheep a few properties down the road. While waiting for the government veterinary officer, Bill asks whether he should change his plans, given the diagnosis. What should Sheila advise?

Answers

Option 1

Neither Bill, nor anyone, are permitted to leave until the government veterinary officer arrives. Bill must cancel his plans and await further direction.

Option 2

Sheila should recommend that Bill consider cancelling his plans; remaining on the property will reduce the risk of disease spread and also ensures that Bill is present to follow any advice provided by the government veterinary officer.

Feedback

Sheila should advise Bill that while he is free to leave the property before the authorities arrive, and that she doesn’t have any authority to restrict his movements, it would be better if he remained on the property until he received official advice from the government veterinary officer.

You are right! Sheila should advise Bill that while he is free to leave the property before the authorities arrive, and that she doesn’t have any authority to restrict his movements, it would be better if he remained on the property until he received official advice from the government veterinary officer.

Solution

Wrong (Feedback)
Correct Option (Feedback)

Multi-choice

Question

Bill wants to know if he can tell his sister Joan and husband Jim about the anthrax outbreak. What should Sheila tell him?

Answers

Option 1

While Bill is free to discuss the outbreak event with his sister, and would not be breaching any legislation in doing so, it would be better if he did not to discuss the outbreak at this stage.

Option 2

It is a legal requirement for Bill to maintain strict confidentiality about the diagnosis.

Feedback

You are right! While there is nothing legally preventing Bill from discussing the outbreak, it would be better if he kept it under wraps at this stage. Without clear communication, information around EADs can easily get distorted and create more complexity.

Not quite right. While there is nothing legally preventing Bill from discussing the outbreak, it would be better if he kept it under wraps at this stage. Without clear communication, information around EADs can easily get distorted and create more complexity.

Solution

Correct Option (Feedback)
Wrong (Feedback)

Multi-choice

Question

At the end of what was a long and emotional day Sheila needs to unwind. She goes to the local pub for a beer, and there meets up with vet from another mixed practice clinic in the same district. Sheila is tempted to discusses the events of the day. What should Sheila say?

Answers

Option 1

Sheila is free to discuss the events of the day including the suspected EAD outbreak. After all her friend works in the same district and should probably be aware of the problem.

Option 2

Sheila should not talk about the suspected EAD outbreak she attended.

Feedback

It is advisable to say nothing, due to client confidentiality and under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Cth), Confidentiality of Information.

Solution

Wrong (Feedback)
Correct Option (Feedback)