SAN ANGELO 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. The news release was posted on its Web site http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/ .
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, Sturtz said, which means that suspected cases should be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission area office at 800-658-6642; after 5 p.m. call 800-550-8242 as soon as possible.
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.”
For more information visit these Web sites:
– Extension Veterinary Medicine, Texas Cooperative Extension: http://extensionvetmed.tamu.edu
– The Center for Food Safety and Public Security: http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/DiseaseInfo/default.htm
U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_ahanthrax.html http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsheet_faq_notice/fs_ahanthradiag.html
– Texas Department of State Health Services: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/anthrax/
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