Anthrax kills cattle in South Dakota

Anthrax has been confirmed as the cause of death of five calves in north central South Dakota's Corson and Dewey counties.

This is the first such case in South Dakota this year.

Anthrax usually appears in very wet or very dry conditions, when dormant bacteria spores in the soil are disturbed. Animals that consume the spores are exposed to the disease.

State Veterinarian Dustin Oedekoven advised ranchers to vaccinate cattle and other livestock in the area for the next several years.