The year’s first case of anthrax in North Dakota’s cattle herd has been identified in Stark County. Anthrax is caused by the naturally occurring bacteria Bacillus anthracis and it can lie dormant in soil for decades.
Heavy rain, flooding or drought can activate the bacteria, and livestock can be exposed to it through contaminated forage or water.
“This is the first case we have had in Stark County but (we) have had cases in nearby counties in the past,” State Veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress said in a press release.
Vaccines are available, but immunity takes more than a week to develop and requires annual boosters. Producers often skip this vaccine, but veterinarians are encouraging administering it in areas that have confirmed cases, and they are warning producers to monitor herds for unexplained deaths and submit samples to diagnostic labs if anthrax is a possibility.
Anthrax is difficult to diagnose, and testing is required to be certain. The only sign of the bacteria is sudden death of cattle, often with blood coming from the nose, mouth, and anus. Veterinarians caution producers not to disturb or dismember an animal that could have died from contracting anthrax. When anthrax is exposed to oxygen, spores are released that can spread in the environment infecting other animals or even humans.
If anthrax is confirmed, experts recommend disposing of the carcass by burning the body and the soil where it was found to kill the bacteria. Next, the carcass should be placed it in a hole near the area of death to limit contamination.
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
