Nearly 50 head of cattle and one moose have died from anthrax in Carbon County, Wyoming. The deadly bacterial disease was last reported in Wyoming wildlife in 1956 and in cattle in the 1970s.
While anthrax is more commonly feared as a bioweapon, it actually is “a naturally occurring bacterial disease that can be transmitted between livestock, wildlife and humans,” Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) says in a news release. “It is most commonly seen in herbivores, including cattle, deer and bison (elk, moose and pronghorn are also susceptible). Carnivores tend to be less at risk and may display higher resilience to the disease. The spores can persist in the ground for decades and emerge when the ground is disturbed or flooded. Disturbance is common in summer months when conditions may alternate between rain and hot, dry weather, allowing spores to be released from contaminated soil and ingested by livestock or wildlife.”
The disease can survive for many years in the soil before weather conditions bring spores to the surface. Carbon County has experienced recent heavy rains after extended drought conditions, which caused organisms to surface.
While anthrax is an infectious disease, it is not contagious. It infects animals when they breathe in or ingest spores in contaminated soil, plants or water.
WGFD reports human cases are rare, but precautions are warranted for those in the area. To limit risk of exposure, officials advise to stay away from dead cattle or wildlife. They also recommend avoiding harvesting sick-looking animals, wearing gloves to harvest or handle animals, and avoiding picking up roadkill. Owners of dogs, horses and other pets should also keep the animals away from any carcasses.
Early signs of anthrax infection in animals include trouble breathing and disorientation. After they die, infected animals bloat quickly and there may be black, tarry blood coming out of their noses, mouths or anuses.
Cattle producers should work with their herd veterinarian to discuss prevention and treatment, which usually is a long-acting tetracycline product if there is a risk of infection.
More information on the outbreak is available on the WGFD website.
