ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS WARNED OF ANTHRAX DANGER

BISMARCK – Animal health officials are reminding livestock producers in areas with a past history of anthrax to take measures to protect their animals from the disease.

“We have just received confirmation of a case of anthrax in cattle along the Hettinger-Slope county line, the first reported in that area in many years and the first confirmed case in the state this year,” said Dr. Susan Keller, state veterinarian. “Keep in mind that while anthrax has been most frequently reported in northeast, southeast and south-central North Dakota, it has been found in almost every part of the state.”

Keller said anthrax vaccine is effective and available, but that it takes about a week for immunity to be established, and it must be administered annually.

“Producers should check with their veterinarians to make sure the vaccination schedule for their animals is adequate and maintained,” Keller said. “Producers should also monitor their herds for unexpected deaths and report them to their veterinarians.

“With the weather we have had, conditions are right for anthrax to show up,” Keller said.

Keller said the danger of anthrax to grazing animals was demonstrated in the 2005 outbreak, when more than 500 confirmed deaths from anthrax were reported in the state. North Dakota’s total losses that year were estimated at more than 1,000 head of cattle, bison, horses, sheep, llamas and farmed deer and elk.

“An extensive educational effort by veterinarians and extension agents to encourage producers to vaccinate their animals has resulted in a dramatic reduction in livestock deaths,” Keller said.

Anthrax is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Spores of the bacteria can lie dormant in the ground for decades and become active under diverse conditions, such as heavy rainfall, flooding and drought. When animals graze or consume forage or water contaminated with the spores, they are exposed to the disease.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Dr. Susan Keller, Dr. Beth Carlson or Dr. Jesse Vollmer at (701) 328-2655.