Additional cases of anthrax have been confirmed in South Dakota livestock this year, according to State Veterinarian Dr. Dustin Oedekoven this week.
The disease was diagnosed in a group of 300 unvaccinated yearling cattle in Butte County.
Butte is the fourth county where the disease has been diagnosed in 2018, following Clark, Bon Homme, and Hamlin counties.
Anthrax spores can survive indefinitely in contaminated soil and the potential for outbreaks exists across South Dakota. Significant climate change, such as drought, floods and winds can expose anthrax spores to livestock. Alkaline soils, high humidity and high temperatures present conditions for anthrax spores to vegetate and become infectious to grazing livestock.
Producers across the state should consult their veterinarians and vaccinate livestock, if deemed appropriate.
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