Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story mistakenly located the infected moose near Cheyenne. Buckrail regrets the error.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A dead moose in Carbon County has tested positive for anthrax, marking the state’s first documented case of the disease in wildlife since 1956, according to an announcement by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD).
WGFD said it was recently notified by the Wyoming Livestock Board that cattle near Elk Mountain have tested positive for anthrax, too.
“Anthrax is a naturally occurring bacterial disease that can be transmitted between livestock, wildlife and humans,” WGFD’s announcement reads. “It is most commonly seen in herbivores, including cattle, deer and bison (elk, moose and pronghorn are also susceptible). … The spores can persist in the ground for decades and emerge when the ground is disturbed or flooded. Disturbance is common in summer months when conditions may alternate between rain and hot, dry weather, allowing spores to be released from contaminated soil and ingested by livestock or wildlife.”
The 1956 case was a moose found in Sublette County.
Human cases of anthrax are rare, according to WGFD, but vigilance is encouraged. Anyone concerned that they’ve come into contact with an anthrax-infected animal should contact the Wyoming Department of Health and seek medical attention.
According to the Mayo Clinic, humans can become infected through direct or indirect contact with infected animals. The bacteria can enter the body through a wound in the skin, through the consumption of contaminated meat or the inhalation of spores. Symptoms can include skin sores, vomiting and shock. Antibiotics can cure most anthrax infections, but inhaled anthrax can be fatal. Most people are familiar with anthrax bacteria due to its use in bioterrorism attacks.
WGFD advises the public, especially hunters, to take these precautions:
- In the event of an encounter with 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. One might 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 in the field.
- If hunters encounter deceased wildlife, note the location or take a GPS pin and report findings to Game and Fish. Report a wildlife disease incident online or by calling the Game and Fish Wildlife Health Laboratory at (307) 745-5865.
WGFD said it will continue to monitor the situation and assess impacts to wildlife. If changes occur that require further action, hunters will receive updates through emails and posts on the WGFD website.
