A little more information for persons planning to hunt in Texas this year.
Hope this information is of some use!!!
GOOD HUNTING !!!
Oct. 9, 2001
HUNTERS SHOULD TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST ANTHRAX
Writer: Edith A. Chenault, (979) 845-2886,
[email protected]Contacts: Dr. Floron "Buddy" Faries, (979) 845-4353,
[email protected] Dr. Bruce Lawhorn, (979) 845-3230,
[email protected] COLLEGE STATION, TX – Two human cases of anthrax in Florida are making headlines across the United States and the world. While some experts doubt that anthrax could be used as a biological weapon in this country, other experts are warning that hunters – especially those in Southwest Texas – should take precautions against a disease that is as old as time itself.
Even before the Florida cases, many people in Texas were familiar with anthrax, because an outbreak in deer and cattle in Southwest Texas this summer killed hundreds of animals and left two men hospitalized. The outbreak was localized in the Del Rio and Uvalde area.
"As far as anthrax goes – in these endemic areas – it's been here since the beginning of time," said Dr. James Lenarduzzi of Beeville, veterinarian with the Texas Animal Health Commission. Usually four to six counties are affected in these localized outbreaks, he said.
"Because of the climatic conditions and the soil conditions, it will probably remain here forever."
Still, he said, there is no danger with most activities, such as biking, fossil hunting or camping, and even hunting.
"There's not any danger of getting anthrax by camping out or by having campfires or having any type of activity out here in this part of the world. As long as you're not getting the blood of an infected animal on your skin, you're just as safe here as anywhere else," Lenarduzzi said.
Hunters in upper South Texas or the southwestern part of the Edwards Plateau should exercise caution. Rick Taylor of Uvalde, wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said, "If you come across carcasses – dead deer bones, skulls, skeletons – you should leave them alone. Don't touch them, just leave them alone."
One confirmed and one suspected case cutaneous anthrax were reported in the Uvalde area after contact with infected animals and animal products. The men were treated in the hospital, released and recovered.
Anthrax is a bacterial disease that occurs in humans and in a wide range of livestock and animal species, according to Dr. Bruce Lawhorn of College Station, veterinarian with Texas Cooperative Extension and College of Veterinary Medicine department of large animal medicine and surgery. It is endemic to several southern states, including Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, and many other countries throughout the world, Lawhorn said.
The disease usually occurs most commonly after periods of drought or flooding, Lawhorn said.
Anthrax occurs in one of two forms: The vegetative type is actually the form that multiplies in the animal; the spore type is the dormant form found in the environment.
Animals primarily become infected by grazing and picking up the microscopic spores from the soil. The spores enter the blood stream through cuts and abrasion in the mouth, said Dr. Floron "Buddy" Faries of College Station, Extension veterinarian.