Elk dies in Wyoming anthrax outbreak

A moose carcass recently found in Carbon County, Wyoming, died of anthrax, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced. confirmed Tuesday. Now state agencies are warning hunters, ranchers and residents in the south-central part of the state to avoid dead wildlife in the area.

Test results from the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory determined that the naturally occurring bacteria killed the large ungulate, marking the first documented case of anthrax in Wyoming wildlife since 1956. It’s unclear whether the elk was a bull, cow or calf — WGFD did not specify.

The Wyoming Livestock Board also has confirmed that several cattle herds in the Elk Mountain area have also been affected by the disease, but it did not specify how many cows have died. This is the first time the disease has affected cattle in the Equality State since 1970. Clinical signs of anthrax in cattle, the organization noted, include sudden death, weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, fever and bloody diarrhea.

Outbreaks of anthrax occur in wild and domestic animals when these animals inhale or ingest large concentrations of spores. The bacteria, B anthraciteoccurs naturally in soils and can develop in large numbers after those soils have been disturbed in some way, especially after flooding. The disease is most common in herbivores that graze and forage extensively.

“Disturbance often occurs in the summer months when conditions can alternate between rain and warm, dry weather, allowing spores to be released from contaminated soil and ingested by livestock or wildlife,” WGFD reports.

These outbreaks can survive in the environment for years, making them extremely difficult to suppress. Anthrax spores tend to become dormant during the cold months and become active again in warmer weather. People and livestock can be vaccinated against the disease, although there is currently no vaccine for domestic animals. In cases of anthrax in livestock, experts recommend burning the carcasses, the ground where they grazed, and any bedding, manure, fences, or other potentially contaminated areas. Of course, this level of response is nearly impossible for wildlife outbreaks, making them extremely challenging to contain.

Read more: Is fear of chronic wasting disease causing people to stop hunting deer?

According to the UN, people can contract anthrax from infected animals or animal products. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With Wyoming’s bow season set to open, hunters heading to the Elk Mountain area need to be extra cautious. Cattlemen need to be on their guard, too, experts warn.

“Early signs of anthrax may include difficulty breathing and disorientation,” WGFD writes. “After death, infected animals swell rapidly and you may see black, tarry blood coming from natural body orifices. … Do not pick up dead animals or fresh carcasses in the Elk Mountain area. Keep dogs, horses, and other pets away from carcasses you encounter in the field.”