Released August 15, 2008
BROOKINGS, S.D. — Although southeastern South Dakota is experiencing some small anthrax outbreaks in cattle, South Dakota State University experts say there’s no need for great concern. The Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ADRDL) is carefully following it.
Dr. Russ Daly, extension veterinarian and SDSU assistant professor, keeps tabs on anthrax cases in the state.
Thus far this year, samples from three herds in Douglas and Hutchinson Counties have tested positive for a relatively small anthrax outbreak confined to cattle.
Daly explained that the anthrax infecting cattle herds comes from a bacteria found naturally in the environment, not the weapons-grade anthrax used criminally.
“We know that the environment – weather, pasture conditions – has a lot to do with cases popping up,” Daly said.
Anthrax isn’t generally spread from animal to animal. Instead, cattle eat bacterial spores in pasture soil or grass. Inside the animal’s body, bacteria reproduce rapidly and produce a fatal toxin.
Researchers think increased rainfall this summer may have contributed to the anthrax outbreak. Pastures with standing water pose a higher risk for anthrax because pasture flooding disrupts soil and flushes out anthrax spores, leaving them exposed on the grass when the water recedes.
Although anthrax is zoonotic, meaning it’s able to pass from animals to humans, Daly clarified that exposure to this form of anthrax usually results in “rather nasty skin infections” in people exposed, but not typically fatal.
“Worker safety is of the utmost importance at the ADRDL,” Daly said.
“Anthrax-suspect cases are handled under ventilated air hoods that prevent lab workers from contacting or breathing in the bacteria.”
The ADRDL’s speedy diagnosis has enabled the South Dakota Animal Industry Board to identify herds affected by the anthrax outbreak, contain them, dispose of the infected animals and quarantine the affected herds.
Of course, like any good doctor, whether veterinarian or human, Daly and the ADRDL staff prefer prevention to containment.
“For that reason, we recommend that all South Dakota cattle producers vaccinate their cattle for anthrax,” advised Daly.
“The vaccine is inexpensive and effective,” he assured.
More information on anthrax, the ADRDL’s work and vaccinations is available at http://vetsci.sdstate.edu/vetext.
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