An outbreak of anthrax has killed 49 cows, two goats, and a horse in Manitoba's Interlake region, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed to CTV.ca on Tuesday.

The animals died as a result of ingesting infected spores that were unearthed with heavy rainfall, in what's being described as the province's second largest outbreak since records on the disease started being kept.

Infected spores -- remnants of bison, cattle and other animals that graze -- are commonly found throughout all the Prairie provinces. Manitoba has had an outbreak almost every year since the year 2000.

While naturally-occurring anthrax is a serious, infectious bacterial disease, the current outbreak still poses little risk to the public, including farmers who are educated on how to properly handle an infected carcass, said Dr. Sandra Stephens, the veterinary program specialist with the CFIA.

Stephens also told CTV.ca anthrax does not have international trade implications for Canada because the disease is found worldwide.

"The major focus for the CFIA is to prevent environmental contamination by ensuring carcasses are disposed of properly, and vaccination to protect other animals," Stephens told CTV.ca in a telephone interview from Brooks, Alta.

The CFIA was first notified of the outbreak on July 20 when a farm in the Armstrong community in the region reported cattle had died. Nine more farms in Armstrong and four farms in the neighbouring Rockwood community reported losses soon after. The last death was Aug. 3.

"Samples are usually sent to the provincial lab for testing, then to the CFIA for confirmation, that's why there's a delay in reporting," said CFIA spokeswoman Robin Locke. "But the CFIA starts implementing control measures right away."

Stephens said animals succumb to their ailments so quickly that it's unlikely others in the pasture would be given an antibiotic to protect them.

"Occasionally we will, but from the time the animal shows clinical signs to the time they die, is usually two hours," said Stephens.

However, signs of the disease don't always show up right away. Depending on the animal, it could take a few days for symptoms to appear.

Anthrax spores sit in the dirt where the animals feed, and animals get the disease through ingestion. Where people might be at risk is in handling the animals, especially if the handler has an open sore. But Stephens told CTV.ca it's unlikely the sick animal would ever become food for the public as it likely wouldn't make it through the inspection process.

Stephens added the prevalence of anthrax in Manitoba could be due to the province's widely varying environmental conditions, from heavy downpours to hot and dry periods -- all potentially causing the spores to surface.

The CFIA says so far 16 farms have been affected by anthrax in the Interlake region and are under quarantine. Alvin Prysizney owns one of those farms.

The anthrax is "in the ground," Prysizney told CTV Winnipeg. "We were wet here for a couple of years. Now with last year's heat and this year's heat, it comes up."

Prysizney said he had his animals vaccinated, but unfortunately it was too late for one of his bulls. He said he's hoping his other animals will be okay.

"This is the second largest (outbreak) at this point in time," Stephens told CTV Winnipeg. "Last year was the largest outbreak that we had recorded in Manitoba in recorded memory -- probably back to the 40s or 50s sometime.

According to Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, vaccinating cattle isn't necessarily cost-effective.

"An appropriate vaccination for anthrax is available for cattle but it is generally not cost-effective because of the sporadic nature of the disease from year to year," the government agency says on its website. "Vaccination is only advised in those herds where there has been a recent history of anthrax in the immediate area where the cattle are raised."

Prysizney, who paid almost $3,000 for his bull, said the CFIA told him he would receive $500 dollars in compensation.

With a report from CTV Winnipeg's Rachel Lagace in Manitoba's Interlake region.