Anthrax has been confirmed in South Dakota livestock for the first time this year.
Anthrax is an infectious bacteria that occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects animals. People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
According to South Dakota State Veterinarian, Dr. Beth Thompson, several unvaccinated cattle died in Meade County. An SDSU lab confirmed anthrax as the cause.
Thompson said the vaccine is highly-effective.
"One of the best things that a rancher can be doing is working with their veterinarian. There are vaccines out there that we highly recommend prior to livestock going out on pasture," Thompson said.
Thompson said the state does not track how many livestock are vaccinated.
Anthrax can be an economically devastating disease for the livestock industry because it can kill many animals very quickly. Infected livestock are often found dead with no illness detected.
The bacterial anthrax spores survive indefinitely in contaminated soil, and much of South Dakota has the potential of experiencing an outbreak, according to Russ Daly, the state public health veterinarian with SDSU Extension.
"For people raising livestock out there, if they see any unexplained death, contact your veterinarian right away. The sooner you get that diagnosed, the sooner you can protect the other animals in the herd," Daly said. "This is not the same as the anthrax that we saw sent in the letters [after 9/11], but people still have to be careful around it."
Daly said temperatures and humidity make anthrax spores more infectious to grazing livestock.
