(edited press release)

Two head of cattle have died of anthrax, the first cases of the disease reported in North Dakota this year. “This is a warning for North Dakota producers to talk with their veterinarians about having their animals vaccinated,” said Susan Keller, DVM, N.D. state veterinarian. “This is especially true for producers in areas of the state that have recorded anthrax in the past.”

The cattle came from a herd in Emmons County, southwest of Linton.

Keller said Sheldon Malmedal, DVM, of Linton examined the animals and forwarded tissues to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at North Dakota State University, which used a polymerase chain reaction test to confirm the diagnosis of anthrax on June 21