Anthrax in Cattle: Vaccine Considerations

Russ Daly, DVM, Extension Veterinarian

Cases of anthrax in cattle on North and South Dakota pastures in recent years have justifiably been a source of concern for farmers and ranchers. Questions about reducing the risk of losses due to the disease are common. Fortunately, anthrax is a disease for which there is an effective vaccine that may be used to help decrease the associated potential death losses.

Anthrax is a reportable disease. No vaccination program should be administered without consultation with the herd’s veterinarian and, if associated with an anthrax outbreak, the State Animal Industry Board.

Anthrax was among the first animal diseases for which a vaccine was developed. In 1881, Louis Pasteur developed a vaccine consisting of two different preparations given two weeks apart. This procedure gained widespread use and was only slightly modified over the next 50 years. In the late 1930’s a vaccine using a weakened, non-disease causing strain of B. anthracis was developed (the “Sterne” strain) and it is in fact the strain used in today’s vaccines.

About the vaccine:

• “Anthrax Spore Vaccine,” manufactured by Colorado Serum Company.
• Consists of live, non-disease causing spores of the B. anthracis bacterium.
• Differs from the human vaccine given to military personnel. That vaccine does not contain whole anthrax spores; only portions of the spores are present.
• The human vaccine must be given six times over an 18-month period for the initial series.
• Generally is widely available and relatively inexpensive.
• Has proven safe and effective over many years of use.
• Comes in 10- and 50-dose vials.
• Storage: refrigeration in the dark.
• Dose is 1 ml subcutaneously in the neck.
• Labeled for use in all domestic farm animals.
• 42-day slaughter withdrawal.
• Since anthrax is a potential human disease, a physician should be consulted if accidental human exposure occurs.

Timing and administration:

• For maximum immunity, animals should ideally be vaccinated 2-4 weeks before exposure to pasture.
• Duration of immunity studies have not been performed; however animals are believed to have at least six months and possibly up to a year of solid immunity from one vaccine dose—at least enough to get through the grazing season.

Vaccinating in the face of an outbreak:

• Should only be undertaken with guidance from the Animal Industry Board and the herd veterinarian after proper diagnosis. Antibiotics are administered to the animals at risk along with vaccination. A booster dose of vaccine should be given 7-10 days later.
• It may be advisable to vaccinate livestock other than cattle on the premises.

All South Dakota cattle producers--regardless of location--should strongly consider routine anthrax vaccination before turn-out to pasture. Many South Dakota producers have included anthrax vaccine in their programs for years. Although numbers of affected herds are generally low, anthrax is an annual occurrence in South Dakota and its presence or absence in specific areas from year to year is difficult to predict. Vaccine is inexpensive and available and can be readily included in turn-out vaccination programs.

Russ Daly, DVM

Extension Veterinarian

Assistant Professor

Veterinary Science Department

South Dakota State University

Box 2175

Brookings, SD 57007

Phone: 605-688-6589

Fax:  605-688-6003

5/2/07