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August 18, 2005 NDSU Veterinarian Recommends Anthrax Vaccination North Dakota State University’s animal health expert is urging livestock producers in the eastern and south-central parts of the state to consult their veterinarian about vaccinating their animals against anthrax. “If anthrax is close to your farm or ranch, vaccination is a cheap insurance policy,” says NDSU Extension Service veterinarian Charlie Stoltenow. He recommends animals receive two doses of the vaccine two to three weeks apart for maximum protection. Anthrax cases have been confirmed in 13 counties: Barnes, Dickey, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, LaMoure, Nelson, Ransom, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, Traill and Walsh. Beth Carlson, deputy state veterinarian, estimates that more than 300 animals have died from the disease since early July. Most have been cattle, but bison, horses, sheep, llamas and farm-raised elk and deer also have died. “The anthrax vaccine is very effective and safe,” Stoltenow says. He adds that a few isolated problems have shown up in horses. He says horses shouldn’t receive the vaccine when their hair coat is wet because of the possibility that a Clostridial infection might develop at the injection site. The vaccine will not cause anthrax in animals, and it is not dangerous to humans, but people should take precautions when working with vaccines and needles, he says. The bacteria Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax. The bacteria spores can survive in the soil indefinitely. Carlson says cases of anthrax occur almost every year in North Dakota, but favorable weather conditions, such as this year’s heavy rainfall and flooding, may explain why it is more widespread than usual. Rain and flooding can send the spores to the ground’s surface, where livestock graze and become infected. Other anthrax sources include wounds that blood-sucking insects, dehorning or castration cause, and dead anthrax-infected animals that haven’t been handled properly. “Any anthrax-contaminated carcass should be disposed of by burning if at all possible,” Stoltenow says. If not, bury the carcass at least 6 feet deep, covering it with quicklime before covering it with soil. For more information on the disposal process, producers should contact their county Extension Service office or visit the NDSU Extension Service anthrax publication online at www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/ansci/animpest/v561w.htm. Symptoms of anthrax often depend on the animal species and how it contracted the infection. When the anthrax organism enters the animal’s body through the mouth or nostrils, symptoms develop soon after infection and death follows rapidly. Infections through the skin because of an injury or insect bite affect the immediate area first. It becomes hot and swollen and then cold and insensitive. The infection can become generalized later. Anthrax usually is a fatal disease without any observable symptoms. However, at or near death, blood oozes from the animal’s body openings. In less acute infections, the animal may stagger, have difficulty breathing, tremble, collapse and die. Horses may develop colic. Other symptoms include edema and swelling, especially in the brisket. Symptoms may be noticeable for one to five days. Before developing those symptoms, the animal will have a fever and a period where it is excited and may charge anyone nearby. Depression follows this stage in cattle or sheep. Producers who suspect they have a case of anthrax should call their veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian is trained in how to take samples from animals for testing. Farms and ranches with cases of anthrax will be quarantined until 30 days after the last case is diagnosed or 30 days after official vaccination. Being quarantined means the producer cannot sell, slaughter or move any livestock to other premises. Anyone with questions about quarantines should contact the state veterinarian’s office at (701) 328-2655. ### Source:
Charlie Stoltenow, (701) 231-7522, cstolten@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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