Wyoming Anthrax Outbreak Kills 50-Head of Cattle and A Wild Moose

According to officials, dozens of cows and now a wild moose have dropped dead from a sudden outbreak of anthrax in Carbon County, Wyoming. This new outbreak of the deadly bacterial disease marks the first time it has been detected in cattle since the 1970s and the first time in moose since 1956. 

The official diagnosis was announced by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory on Aug. 31, reporting that cattle from multiple herds around Elk Mountain tested positive for the disease.

“We have approximately 50 to 60 head that have died at this time due to anthrax,” Wyoming State Veterinarian Dr. Hallie Hasel said. “It's in a localized region at this time, but we are still investigating, and there could be other losses that we don't know of quite yet.”

Following the announcement of the dead cattle, the lab announced the confirmation of the dead moose on September 3rd, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. 

So, how does anthrax spread into cattle and wildlife? The truth is, its occurrence can be quite sporadic in nature. The spore-forming bacteria has the ability to survive underground for decades until the soil is disturbed by heavy rains and/or flooding. Given the wide variety of conditions during the Wyoming summer, outbreaks become more common when weather patterns shift between rainy days and dry and hot summer conditions. According to Wyoming Fish and Game, these types of conditions “allow spores to be released from contaminated soil and ingested by livestock or wildlife.”

The disease is most commonly found in herbivores, including cattle, deer, moose, bison and elk, whereas carnivorous species tend to be more resilient to the infection. 

The agency went on to say that because anthrax is a zoonotic disease, it can be transmitted between animals and humans. Offering a stark caution to hunters and farmers alike, the agency is warning against anyone getting into contact with an animal, dead or alive, that looks like it might be sick. Although human cases are rare, it’s recommended that you seek immediate care if you believe you have been in contact with an infected animal.

“Anthrax is unpredictable, but once you know what's in a location, you can plan in advance,” Hasel said. “This might be the first anthrax outbreak since the 1970s, but it could come back next year. It may not come back for ten years. It's really unknown.”