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Colorado Veterinarian Dr. Keith Roehr on why the drought is leading to an increased risk of anthrax infection in cattle.
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Right so there's also scary side to this hold drought that we haven't heard a lot about believe it or not -- The deadly bacteria is actually from riding in these dry conditions now over the past two weeks more than 100 animals have died.
In Colorado and Texas as a result of the anthrax infection.
Joining us now doctor keep you were a veterinarian with the state of Colorado.
-- -- dictionary definition of anthrax is that it's a disease infecting cattle sheep and humans.
Hot I don't know does not gonna spread to human -- things.
-- -- -- disease hasn't been seen in state for over thirty years that.
Historically we've had anthrax in cattle.
On a common basis.
Fortunately it doesn't spill over to people very often.
He shares surge started.
And summer -- somebody animals -- how many animals have been affected so far.
Well in the index -- we've had about sixty mortality is in that we have to joining ranches that it had just one how each.
So the spread outside the index branches and limited.
-- rates but.
More than 16100 animals have died that died in the 2001 anthrax outbreaks of in Texas so.
We seen on we've lost a lot of in -- -- this disease over the years is there a way to contain it.
You know that it -- ebbs and flows its us soil borne bacteria and when the conditions are right typically with either router flooding.
It creates a favorable environment for the bacteria.
-- on this case in Colorado it's been 31 years that in this area the Platte river valley the conditions are.
Favorable for the bacteria and it certainly in fact that the number of cattle.
It's interesting that the bacteria thrives in the dry conditions.
So.
OK so you get -- that having yet ranchers working with these counts.
How do we know then that you know beef is not going to be affected beef prices because of the anthrax in these cattle.
But the overall number of cases in Colorado.
Percentage wise is exceedingly low.
Our ranchers -- where veterinarians -- where.
And the only if the ranchers C cattle are affected that have clinical signs they -- to contact their veterinarians.
And it.
And then what are they care to our other cows -- -- cattle taken off the market.
Well the good news in this case and no cattle left the farm.
Prior to the quarantine being issued so no cattle went to livestock auction markets and more importantly no cattle went to slaughter so the food supply in the states.
OPEC is that I think is a concern at the end of the day right.
Are you worried about you know this getting -- people being nervous that you know what I'm not gonna have that stake for along -- for awhile now until they -- this anthrax thing out.
The people shouldn't be worried that it.
The overall risk of the disease in people is essentially nil the only contact would be with those branches that have infected cattle.
The food safe and in the monitoring systems have been effective and then therefore now impact on prices down around you don't think.
-- I don't think for in this outbreak you know a number of states still with us on an ongoing basis north and South Dakota and Texas.
I think in Colorado because of the newness in the the background information we have on them parents I can understand why people would be concerned.
But the foods the food supply and the movement of animals right both have safeguards in place.
Okay we're in particular for that anthrax is in -- itself sounds scary to make up to keep -- veterinarian out come out -- thank you for taking the time sir.
Tracy thank you for the opportunity.
Make people aware at least least we can do.
