Anthrax has been confirmed in multiple beef herds in Wyoming, the first cases in the state in cattle since the 1970s, according to the Wyoming Livestock Board.
Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL) confirmed the diagnosis on August 31 in cattle in Carbon County.
Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a naturally occurring organism with worldwide distribution. The spore-forming bacteria may survive in the soil for years to decades, resulting in sporadic outbreaks which usually occur after periods of drought followed by heavy rain. Domestic and wild animals may become infected when they breathe or ingest spores in contaminated soil, plants or water. Clinical signs of anthrax in livestock include sudden death, weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, fever and bloody diarrhea.
“Multiple state agencies and private veterinarians responded quickly following the anthrax diagnosis by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory,” said Dr. Hallie Hasel, Wyoming state veterinarian. “Protecting animal and human health is critical upon diagnosis of a zoonotic disease. 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.”
Just days after the announcement of the anthrax cases in cattle, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department on September 3 said a case of anthrax was confirmed in a dead moose in the same county. The recent detection in a moose is the only documented case reported in wildlife at this time. The last confirmed case of anthrax in wildlife in Wyoming was in 1956 in Sublette County.
