State Vet Asking Ranchers to Vaccinate Animals for Anthrax
North Dakota's state veterinarian is asking ranchers to vaccinate their animals against anthrax.
Dr. Susan Keller says conditions are right for the disease with the recent rainfall across the state.
Anthrax has been more frequently reported in the northeast, southeast and south central parts of the state, but it has been found in almost every part of North Dakota.
Vaccines are effective, but it takes about a week for immunity to be established. The vaccinations must be administered annually to maintain protection.
Keller says ranchers should monitor their herds for unexplained deaths and report them to their veterinarians.
A few anthrax cases are reported in North Dakota almost every year. In 2005, more than 500 confirmed deaths from anthrax were reported with total losses at more than 1,000 head.