Over the weekend, the state of North Dakota has confirmed its second case of anthrax this year in a beef cattle herd in Stark County, according to the state veterinarian’s office.
Dr. Ethan Andress urged producers in counties with past cases to consult veterinarians about vaccination and to be alert for unusual livestock deaths. He emphasized that effective vaccines are available but require more than a week to build immunity, with boosters needed annually for continued protection.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring noted that while anthrax occurs most often in northeastern, southeastern, and south-central North Dakota, it has been detected across nearly every part of the state. A few cases are typically reported each year, though some outbreaks have been much larger, such as in 2005 when more than 500 livestock deaths were confirmed.
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Photo Credit; USDA
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