First documented case of disease in wildlife since 1956
A Wyoming moose has tested positive for anthrax. The moose, which was found deceased in Carbon County, is the first documented case of the disease in wildlife since 1956, according to Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD).
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, anthrax is rare in the United States; however, occasional outbreaks can occur in wild and domestic grazing animals like cattle or deer. It is considered a serious disease and caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria found naturally in soil. Livestock and wild animals like moose can become infected when breathing in, eating or drinking spores in contaminated soils, plants or water.
People can become sick if they come into contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products, or by breathing in anthrax spores, eating food or drinking water contaminated with spores, or getting spores in a cut or scrape in the skin.
This is the only documented case reported in wildlife at this time, according to WGFD. The last confirmed case occurred in Sublette County. However, anthrax was also confirmed in cattle near Elk Mountain, and recently reported to WGFD by the Wyoming Livestock Board.
To avoid a potential encounter with an anthrax-infected animal, WGFD recommends the following:
Stay tuned to GOHUNT for further information.
If you encounter dead cattle or wildlife, do not approach, handle or move carcasses.
Do not harvest an animal that looks sick. Early signs of anthrax can include respiratory difficulty and disorientation. After death, infected animals tend to bloat very quickly and you may see black, tarry blood coming out of natural body openings (e.g., nose, mouth, anus).
It is always recommended to wear gloves while field dressing or handling harvested animals.
Do not pick up roadkill or fresh deadheads in the Elk Mountain area.
Keep dogs, horses and other pets away from animal carcasses you come across in the field.
If hunters encounter deceased wildlife, note the location or take a GPS pin and report findings to Game and Fish. You can report a wildlife disease incident online or by calling the Game and Fish Wildlife Health Laboratory at 307-745-5865.
Human cases are rare but precautions are warranted. If you have concerns that you may have come into contact with an anthrax-infected animal, please contact the Wyoming Department of Health and seek medical attention.
