Precautions Prevent Anthrax Spread

REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Anthrax has killed nearly 50 cattle and a moose in south-central Wyoming. The bacterial disease, which can survive for many years in the soil, showed up after weather conditions brought the spores to the surface.

Wyoming State Veterinarian Hallie Hasel told DTN the safety of the animal and human health involved with the outbreak is important upon diagnosis of a zoonotic disease like anthrax.

The Wyoming Livestock Board confirmed the diagnosis on Aug. 31 after the disease affected several herds in the Elk Mountain area of Carbon County in south-central Wyoming.

WEATHER CAN BE CULPRIT OF DISEASE

The area has experienced recent heavy rains after extended drought conditions, which can cause sporadic outbreaks of anthrax after periods of drought following rain, which can bring the Bacillus anthracis organism to the surface.

"Drought was in place at the start of this spring across portions of Wyoming," noted DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick. "There were some pockets of good rainfall during the season, though, and we saw drought reduced significantly in May. However, we saw southeastern areas go dry later in May. Much of the state went dry that month, which has caused drought to be stagnant and grow around only periodic, spotty showers this summer," he said.

"What started off as pretty decent soil moisture this spring went pretty dry early this summer and stayed that way," said Baranick.

CLINICAL SIGNS OF DISEASE

Clinical signs of anthrax in livestock include sudden death, weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, fever and bloody diarrhea. After death, an animal may exude blood from the mouth, nose and anus.

"Multiple state agencies and private veterinarians responded quickly following the anthrax diagnosis by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory," Hasel said. "The Wyoming Livestock Board will continue working with producers and private veterinarians to reduce further spread and limit human exposure through recommendations for carcass disposal and vaccination. Anthrax vaccine is approved for multiple livestock species and highly effective."

TREATMENT PROTOCOL

Hasel went on to tell DTN that a treatment protocol can be put in place for animals affected by the disease if found early in the diagnosis. She recommends producers meet with their herd veterinarian to discuss treatment, which usually is a long-acting tetracycline product.

"Other animals on the pastures where the cattle have been found with anthrax should be removed from the area immediately," Hasel said. "We also recommend vaccinating the surviving animals, which includes two doses -- with some immunity starting seven to eight days after the first dose, but full immunity found after approximately a month, with the second dose given two to three weeks after the first."

FIRST OUTBREAK IN MANY YEARS

This is the first confirmed anthrax in Wyoming cattle since the 1970s. Domestic and wild animals can become infected when they breathe or ingest spores present in contaminated soil, plants or water. An undisclosed number of ranches in the localized Elk Mountain area have had their cattle put on a quarantine to prevent anthrax from spreading outside the area.

On Sept. 3, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, through the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, also confirmed a case of anthrax in a dead moose in Carbon County. The disease is mostly seen in herbivores, according to the department, including cattle, deer, bison, elk, moose and pronghorn. Carnivores display a higher resilience to the disease.

While rare, humans can also contract it and should take preventative precautions. Hasel said when local veterinary practitioners became suspicious anthrax was the culprit, they followed strict protocol in hopes of preventing the disease in humans.

If producers suspect anthrax in their cattle, they should contact their herd veterinarian.

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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