PIERRE, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Anthrax has been confirmed as the cause of death for an animal from North Dakota that died at an auction barn in South Dakota.

Dr. Beth Thompson is the state veterinarian for South Dakota. She says the dead animal was found after the sale, but before all livestock had been loaded and taken to their next destinations. A vet at the sale barn quickly sent samples to the SDSU Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory in Brookings for testing.

Thompson says the initial, whole blood sample screening takes a few hours. She says the culture test used to confirm anthrax takes roughly 24 hours.

Thompson says the Animal Industry Board was able to determine the movement of exposed animals because the veterinarian on site took immediate action and the livestock auction barn had complete records. She says AIB staff tracked all cattle in the original group to their new locations and promptly notified owners of the potential threat.

Thompson would not say which livestock auction barn reported the dead animal that prompted the testing. She did say a consistent herd vaccination protocol is important to keep livestock free of disease.

Anthrax can be an economically devastating disease for all livestock– not only cattle– because it can cause a large loss of animals in a short time. Anthrax spores survive indefinitely in soil and weather events such as drought, floods and winds, can expose the spores to livestock.

If you have a suspicious death in your herd, Thompson says do not move the carcass until a diagnosis is made. If Anthrax is suspected, contact your local veterinarian or the AIB at 605-773-3321 as soon as possible. She says proper handling of affected carcasses by burning and burying is important to help prevent additional spread of the disease.