North Dakota State Vet Warns Livestock Producers About Anthrax

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has reported the state’s first case of anthrax in 2024, involving beef cattle from Adams County. This serves as a reminder to livestock producers, especially in areas with a history of anthrax outbreaks, to protect their herds from the potentially deadly disease.

The case was confirmed by the South Dakota Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory.

“Anthrax has been confirmed in cattle from an Adams County beef herd,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress. “Producers in areas known to have experienced anthrax in the past should consult with their veterinarians to assess their risk factors and vaccination needs. If producers notice unusual losses on pasture, they should immediately reach out to their local veterinarian, who is trained to handle such cases.”

Dr. Andress emphasized that the state veterinarian's office will work closely with local and state resources to help producers manage disease outbreaks. He also noted that anthrax vaccines are effective, but it can take over a week for livestock to develop immunity. Annual booster vaccinations are required to maintain protection.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring highlighted the need for vigilance, particularly in areas that have seen past anthrax cases. “While anthrax has been most frequently reported in northeast, southeast, and south-central North Dakota, it has occurred in nearly every part of the state. A few cases of anthrax are reported in North Dakota almost every year,” Goehring said. He added that the disease has affected a variety of animals, including cattle, bison, horses, sheep, llamas, and farmed deer and elk.

In 2023, 24 anthrax cases were reported in Grant, Adams, and Hettinger counties. The state’s most severe outbreak occurred in 2005, when more than 500 confirmed livestock deaths were reported in the Red River and Sheyenne River Valley areas, with total losses exceeding 1,000 animals.

Anthrax, caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, can remain dormant in the soil for decades, becoming active under specific environmental conditions such as heavy rain, flooding, or drought. Animals contract the disease by grazing or drinking water contaminated with the bacterial spores.

Livestock producers are urged to monitor their herds for unexplained deaths and consult their veterinarians to ensure that appropriate samples are collected and submitted to diagnostic labs for analysis.

Get our free mobile app

For more information on anthrax, including preventative measures and symptoms, producers can visit the North Dakota Department of Agriculture website at www.ndda.nd.gov/diseases/anthrax.