Anthrax kills 25 bison on Turner’s Flying D

By KARIN RONNOW Chronicle Staff Writer

An outbreak of the infectious disease anthrax has killed 25 domestic bison on Ted Turner's Flying D Ranch near the mouth of the Gallatin Canyon, Montana Department of Livestock officials said Wednesday.

"Laboratory tests confirmed anthrax late this morning," state veterinarian Dr. Marty Zaluski said. "The outbreak has been contained to a single, fully enclosed pasture, and we are aggressively addressing the situation with full cooperation of the landowner.”

The affected area has been quarantined.

“Anthrax can pop up any place at any time, but this outbreak was in a remote, well-contained area," Zaluski said. "We're fortunate that the landowner recognized the disease early and took the appropriate action.”

Turner, the media mogul who raises domestic bison on the ranch in the foothills of the Spanish Peaks, said Wednesday he and his ranch managers were working with state livestock officials “and following their protocol guidelines to control the disease.”

"I'm not the first rancher to deal with an anthrax outbreak, and certainly not the last,” he said. “Other outbreaks have been successfully managed throughout the U.S. and Canada, and I am confident we will do the same."

Anthrax is caused by a naturally occurring bacteria, according to DOL.

Spores of the bacteria can lie dormant in the soil for decades then become active under certain climatic or ecologic changes such as heavy rains or flooding preceded by drought.

Animals are exposed to the disease by grazing, drinking water or eating forage contaminated with the spores.

Untreated animals may die within a day or two of exposure, and one or more animals are typically found dead without any recognition of early signs of the disease, which include labored breathing, staggering, unconsciousness and convulsions, according to DOL.

Anthrax can spread from animals to humans, usually as a result of direct contact with infected animals or animal products such as wool, hides and horns.

However, Montana has not had a reported case of human anthrax since 1961.

The bacteria is fragile and easily killed with common disinfectants or exposure to moderate temperatures, “and as such, poses virtually no risk to the food chain,” according to the DOL release.

As for livestock, vaccines work as a preventative measure and long-term antibiotics work when the disease has been confirmed or is suspected.

"Vaccination for livestock in the area is always an option, but we're not recommending it at this time," Zaluski said.

For more information, visit http://liv.mt.gov/liv/ah/diseases/anthrax/general.asp.

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