First Anthrax Case in ND This Year | Video

Alex Hagan | 10/2/2012

There has been a confirmed case of anthrax in a beef cow in Stark County. The state usually records a few anthrax cases every year. However, this is the first one this year.

State Veterinarian Dr. Susan Keller is encouraging producers to make sure their cattle are up to date on their vaccinations. Animal Control say weather conditions are ideal for livestock to contract the disease.

"The other thing that we know is happening and I believe that may have been the case here was when animals have to be moved because grass is short you may be going to a pasture or your rented pasture or pasture you don`t know a lot about and their cattle are grazing close to the ground where the grass is short so it`s very likely we`re going to have a higher risk when cattle do that."

Keller says the focus is more on the area that was effected in Stark County. If an animal does die because of anthrax, it should be buried at least four feet deep to avoid more cases.

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