United States: Anthrax, a fatal disease, is a deadly bacterial disease that has been posing bioterrorism among – cattle and wildlife in Wyoming that has resulted in the death of many animals.
Therefore, health officials are warning people to be careful as experts try to determine the reason behind the outbreak, which is the first one in the region in the last three decades.
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In response to what they have identified as Anthrax in a confirmed dead moose in Carbon County, Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory has made the confirmation, Wyoming Game and Fish Department said.
In Carbon County, Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory has confirmed a case of dead moose, as stated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, forbes.com reported.
The bacterial disease has been confirmed in wildlife in Wyoming for the first time in several decades, and the state agency said the moose is “the only documented case reported in wildlife at this time.”
More about Anthrax
Officials also reported that Anthrax has also infected cattle in the neighboring Carbon County; it is the first time that Anthrax has infected Cattle in Wyoming since the 1970s.
In late August, the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory reportedly made the diagnosis and confirmed that Anthrax had infected cattle from various herds in the Elk Mountain area.
Wyoming State Veterinarian Hallie Hasel said at least fifty cattle have died as a result of Anthrax, and the figure could go higher as authorities continue to assess the outbreak situation, forbes.com reported.
According to Hasel, the outbreak seems to be tanged within the localized area during the present period, where Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department said it “will continue to monitor the situation and assess impacts to wildlife.”
Moreover, although “human cases are rare,” Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department added “precautions are warranted” in light of the outbreak.
Risk to human life
As a precaution, Wyoming officials advised hunters and the public not to approach any dead cattle or wildlife they come across, not to shoot any cattle or game that looks sick, and not to collect roadkill in the elk Mountain area, and also one should use gloves when field dressing or handling the dressed animals.
The agency also advised owners of dogs, horses, and other pets to avoid the animals from coming into contact with any carcass they may find across the region and those who came across dead wildlife to take note of the location and report the incident, forbes.com reported.
Also, the health experts and agencies are recommending seeking medical support; in case Anthrax exposure takes place, then antibiotics could be provided in the form of post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, in order to prevent Anthrax from developing if symptoms haven’t developed.