Source: Tri-State Livestock News
North Dakota has confirmed its first anthrax case of 2025 in a beef cattle herd in Stark County, according to State Veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress. While Stark has not previously reported anthrax, nearby counties have. Andress urged livestock producers in historically affected regions to consult veterinarians about vaccination and disease risk management, stressing the importance of reporting unexplained pasture losses.
Anthrax vaccines are effective but require over a week to build immunity, with yearly boosters necessary for continued protection. Producers are advised to monitor herds closely and submit diagnostic samples when unusual deaths occur. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring noted that anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis spores, has appeared across most of North Dakota, impacting cattle, bison, horses, sheep, llamas, and farmed deer and elk. While only one case was reported in 2024, outbreaks can be severe—as in 2005, when over 1,000 animals were lost. Environmental factors like flooding and drought can trigger outbreaks.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.tsln.com/news/livestock-producers-reminded-of-anthrax-danger-5/