Anthrax outbreak kills 17 head of cattle in Tom Green County, Texas

[Ian David]

GLIDE Number: BH-20070719-12430-USA
Date / time: 19/07/2007 09:03:22
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of Texas
City: San Angelo
Number of Deads: None or unknow
Number of Injured: None or unknow
Damage level: Minor

Description:

On July 13, the Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed that 17 head of cattle and a number of deer have died of anthrax in northern Tom Green County. Steve Sturtz, Texas Cooperative Extension agent for Tom Green County, said the cases were reported north of San Angelo near the Coke County line. "Anthrax is naturally occurring across much of our area," Sturtz said. "Most longtime ranchers here have been aware of it for generations. While it is a serious zoonotic bacterial disease, which causes sudden death, it is preventable and easily vaccinated against." Sturtz said a zoonotic disease is one that can cross-infect from animals to humans. Naturally occurring anthrax infections occur through ingestion of the spores; not by inhalation. "The reason for this announcement is so area ranchers with a history of anthrax in their area will have time to vaccinate their animals, because as with most all vaccines, there is a lag time of several days before the vaccine becomes effective after the animal is vaccinated." This year's unusually wet weather followed by a dry spell created a prime environment for anthrax spores already existing in the soil to resurface, Sturtz said. "Wet weather in West Texas is a blessing, but it can lead to problems, and anthrax is just one of these," he said.

"Hopefully, this will be an isolated instance. "I do want to emphasis that though the public should be aware of it, the occasional dead bird or squirrel you might come across in town is not an indicator of an anthrax pandemic." Anthrax is a reportable disease, The commission requires that anthrax carcasses, manure and bedding from affected animals be incinerated, Sturtz said. Ranchers should not move the carcass, but should wear gloves and long sleeves when preparing the burn site. "The commission reports that there is no need for vacationers or hunters to worry about naturally occurring anthrax," he said. "But they do say not to touch or handle sick or dead animals, bones or shed antlers."

More:
http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?lang=eng&cid=12430

That's nice.

I didn't know they named a county after Tom Green!


"I put my bum-bum on ANTHRAX! AhHHhHhhh!!!

[rocktivity]

1. I didn't know they named a disease after Anthrax!

:headbang:
rocknation

[kestrel91316]

2. Naturally-occuring outbreaks of anthrax are not a national security

threat. They are a matter for veterinary public health to address.

Somebody probably wasn't giving their cattle their anthrax vaccinations like the vet suggested, would be my guess.......

[T Wolf]

3. Must have been the only 17 Democratic cattle in Texas. nt