RESTRICTIONS are still in place at a farm in Westbury after it was confirmed a second cow died there from the deadly bacterial disease anthrax.

One of the animals died on October 23, with the second cow dying four days later. Both cows were from the same herd at Storridge Farm.

A footpath 1.8km long which runs from Cutteridge on the edge of Dilton Marsh to Brook Farm remains closed as a precaution and it was confirmed that no cattle from the field has entered the food chain.

The bacterial disease, which primarily affects herbivorous animals, rarely affects humans with the last case confirmed in 2006.

A statement from Wiltshire Council said: “We can confirm that samples taken from a second cow which died at the farm in Westbury on Tuesday show evidence of anthrax infection. It is not unusual for this to affect other cows in a herd and this development is not unexpected.

“The risk of infection in close human contacts of the animal remains very low and we continue to work with Public Health England to monitor potential human contacts.

“Experts are continuing to thoroughly investigate all possibilities on the farm and at this stage there is no indication it is connected with any nearby development or any other source outside the farm itself.

“The cow was incinerated and movement will continue to be restricted at the farm as the necessary procedures are followed for dealing with this incident.”

All sudden, unexplained deaths of cattle are investigated for anthrax, and hundreds of samples are examined each year.

Anthrax is a bacterial disease which can infect all mammals, including humans, but mainly affects livestock.

The last case of the rare disease amongst cattle was almost 10 years ago on a beef farm in South Wales.

Two cows died on the farm in Rhondda Cynon Taf in April 2006. Before that, the last case seen in Britain was in 2002.

Maggie Rae, director of Public Health and Wiltshire Council corporate director, said: “As we've stated previously this development is not unexpected.

“All the appropriate precautions are being taken as with the first cow and the rest of the group continue to be monitored closely.

“We continue to work with our colleagues from DEFRA, Environment Agency and APHA to investigate this case and closely monitor the welfare of the animals.

“Movement restrictions remain in place on the farm. The risk of infection in close human contacts of the animal remains very low and we continue to work with PHE to monitor potential human contacts.”