Minnesota Board of Animal Health advises animal vaccinations for anthrax

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – The Minnesota state Board of Animal Health is encouraging livestock producers in northwest Minnesota to have their animals vaccinated for anthrax following the discovery of the bacterial disease in multiple cattle and horses located in Kittson County.   

Katie Cornille, a senior veterinarian for the state board, said one reason they haven’t seen many anthrax cases over the last decade is because the protective measures already in place, like a robust vaccination program.

Cornille said: “We definitely want our communications right now to be reaching specifically in that northwestern corner (of the state) to remind people that anthrax still can be found in the soil and that we want to protect our livestock as much as possible.”

According to a board news release, the last confirmed case of anthrax in Minnesota was in a Pennington County cow in June 2013.

Cornille said grazing livestock can acquire the bacterial disease by ingesting or inhaling anthrax spores found in the soil and most animals die from the disease before showing any signs.

Livestock producers should contact their veterinarian right away, if an animal experiences a sudden death.

The board also states anthrax in animals is not a risk to the public and the disease is spread through contact with affected animals or their products.