Anthrax outbreak in Wyoming claims the lives of 50 – 60 heads of cattle

Anthrax outbreak in Wyoming claims the lives of 50 – 60 heads of cattle and a moose, U.S.

Rishav Kothari

A localized anthrax outbreak near Elk Mountain, Wyoming, has claimed the lives of 50 – 60 heads of cattle and a moose, according to state veterinary officials. The Wyoming Livestock Board and the Game and Fish Department are coordinating efforts to contain the bacterial disease.

• This is the first case of anthrax in Wyoming cattle since the 1970s and the first documented case in a moose since 1956.
• The last known instance of anthrax in wildlife occurred in Sublette County, over 320 km (200 miles) from the current outbreak location.
• The Wyoming Livestock Board also warned that anthrax is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted between animals and humans. Hunters, livestock producers, and veterinarians are advised to exercise caution if they believe they have been in contact with infected animals.

An anthrax outbreak in southeastern Wyoming has resulted in the deaths of dozens of cattle and a moose, according to local officials. The Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory confirmed the bacterial disease in several beef herds near Elk Mountain in Carbon County on August 31, the Wyoming Livestock Board said in a release on September 3.

“We have approximately 50 – 60 heads of cattle that have died at this time due to anthrax,” said Wyoming State Veterinarian Dr. Hallie Hasel. The outbreak, currently confined to a localized area, is under investigation, and officials are monitoring for further losses.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department confirmed that a dead moose in the same area also tested positive for anthrax on September 3. This is the first case of anthrax in Wyoming cattle since the 1970s and the first documented case in a moose since 1956. The last known instance of anthrax in wildlife occurred in Sublette County, over 320 km (200 miles) from the current outbreak location.

Anthrax, caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, can persist in the soil for decades.

According to the Wyoming Livestock Board, the spores can be disturbed by events such as heavy rain or flooding, leading to sporadic outbreaks. The bacteria typically affect livestock and wildlife during the summer, when alternating weather conditions can release spores from contaminated soil, which are then ingested by animals.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department stated that the disease is transmitted when animals inhale or ingest spores from the soil, plants, or water. Both domestic and wild animals can become infected, and the disease is most commonly observed in herbivores such as cattle, deer, and bison. Moose, elk, and pronghorn are also susceptible. Carnivores, however, are typically less vulnerable and may display greater resilience to the disease.

Signs of anthrax infection in livestock include sudden death, weakness, difficulty breathing, and bloody diarrhea. The Wyoming Livestock Board also warned that anthrax is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted between animals and humans. Hunters, livestock producers, and veterinarians are advised to exercise caution if they believe they have been in contact with infected animals

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