The first case of anthrax this year (2022) has been confirmed in a herd of 160 unvaccinated cattle in Meade County.
South Dakota State Veterinarian Dr. Beth Thompson says several animals have died. She says the Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at South Dakota State University in Brookings confirmed the disease from samples submitted over the weekend.
Thompson says anthrax can cause the rapid loss of many animals in a short amount of time and infected livestock are often found dead with no illness detected. She says anthrax spores survive indefinitely in contaminated soil, and much of South Dakota has the potential to experience an outbreak. Significant climate change, such as drought, floods, and winds, can expose anthrax spores to grazing livestock. Alkaline soils, high humidity and high temperatures present conditions for anthrax spores to vegetate and become infectious to grazing livestock.
Thompson says strict enforcement of quarantines and proper burning and burying of carcasses suspected to have died from anthrax is important to prevent further soil contamination with the bacterial spores. She says during the summer, producers should take time to check all cattle frequently and promptly investigate any unexpected deaths on pasture, whether it be in cows, bulls or calves. With anthrax and many other diseases, treatments and preventive measures are available, and prompt action can help prevent excessive losses.
If a producer suspects anthrax, Thompson says the case should be reported immediately to local veterinarians or to the State Veterinarian’s Office at 605-773-3321. Suspect carcasses should not be moved or disturbed until a diagnosis has been made.
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