Anthrax Probe After Mysterious Bison Deaths in Montana

By Reuters. Investigators are probing whether anthrax played a role in the mysterious deaths of more than a dozen bison at an American Indian reservation in Montana, the state veterinarian said on Thursday.

Marty Zaluski said the bison, which have died since the start of the July 4 weekend at the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, may have succumbed to anthrax. But he said more testing was needed to confirm what he emphasized was an early suspicion.

Anthrax bacteria can be found naturally in soils but the infectious and sometimes deadly disease it can cause is rare in humans and animals in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Spores of naturally occurring anthrax can lie dormant in the environment for years without being ingested or breathed in by grazing livestock or wild animals, according to the CDC.

Zaluski said results from testing of tissue from one of the Fort Belknap bison will help agricultural, tribal and wildlife officials determine the gravity of the threat posed by the unknown illness. (Read more from “Anthrax Probe After Mysterious Bison Deaths in Montana” HERE)

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Anthrax Confirmed as Cause of Death for Canadian Cattle

By Canadian Press. Saskatchewan Agriculture says anthrax has killed two bison and is suspected in seven other deaths.

The bison were found northwest of North Battleford.

Anthrax is caused by the bacteria bacillus anthracis, which can survive in spore form for decades in soil.

Spores can concentrate in sloughs and potholes, and risk of animal exposure to anthrax increases in drier years when these areas dry up and become accessible.

Livestock are infected when they eat forage contaminated with spores and they are found dead without any signs of illness. (Read more from this story about the anthrax probe in Canada HERE)

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North Dakota Anthrax Case Confirmed

By AP. State Veterinarian Susan Keller is urging North Dakota ranchers to make sure their livestock are vaccinated against anthrax, after the first confirmed case of the year in a Grand Forks County beef cow. . .

Anthrax bacteria spores lie dormant in the soil and become active under extreme weather conditions such as drought or flooding. Livestock grazing in areas where spores are present can get infected by consuming or breathing in the spores. (Read more from this story about the anthrax probe in North Dakota HERE)

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