NWT reports a suspected anthrax outbreak in the Slave River Lowlands bison
YELLOWKNIFE – The government of the Northwest Territories says there is a suspected anthrax outbreak among the Slave River Lowlands bison population.
The Department of Environment and Climate Change says 15 bison carcasses were found this weekend in the area between Fort Smith and Fort Resolution, and test results on the carcasses are pending.
The department says an incident management team is working to quickly locate and remove the infected bison and keep people out of the area.
The team will also burn or chemically treat the bison and surrounding grass to prevent the spread of anthrax spores.
Anthrax rarely spreads to humans and is almost never transmitted from person to person.
About 95 percent of all human anthrax cases result from skin contact with infected animals, and while it can be treated with antibiotics, it can be fatal if left untreated.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 4, 2023.
