Anthrax Confirmed In Wyoming Cattle Herds, No Human Cases

Anthrax has been confirmed in several Carbon County cattle herds, according to the Wyoming State Veterinary Lab.

According to a news release from the Wyoming Livestock Board, the diagnoses are the first confirmed case of anthrax in Wyoming Cattle herds since the 1970s.

Wyoming Department Of Health Issues Statement

Anthrax can infect humans as well as animals.Townsquare Media contacted the Wyoming Department of Health about the potential threat to people.

WDH spokeswoman Kim Deti gave us the following statement:

''While anthrax can sometimes be a human health concern, we have no worries at this time about a risk to the general public in Wyoming. People can get sick with anthrax if they come in close contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. Anthrax does not spread person to person.

 The Wyoming Department of Health has been involved in the response to this situation. At this point, no human cases of anthrax are confirmed or suspected.

 We have been working with the people with high exposure risk and are workinga to ensure they get the recommended preventive treatment, which includes antibiotics and vaccines.''

According to the WSVL news release, anthrax can linger in the soil for decades as a spore-forming bacteria. Outbreaks usually happen after periods of drought followed by heavy rain. Animals become infected when they breath or ingest the spores from their environment.

Typical symptoms in livestock include sudden death, staggering, difficulty breathing and and bloody diarrehea.

According to the WSVL release, anthrax vaccinations are available and ''are highly effective."

A public meeting on anthrax is slated for tonight [Sept. 4] at 7 p.m. at the Elk Mountain Fire Hall.