Aborted elk calf found outside park tests positive for brucellosis

Friday, June 20, 2008 9:13 AM MDT

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - An aborted elk calf fetus found on a ranch near Cody, Wyo., has tested positive for the disease brucellosis. The fetus was discovered on April 30 and confirmed positive for brucellosis by the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory last month.

The ranch is on the South Fork of the Shoshone River about 35 miles southwest of Cody.

Brucellosis has been present in elk in this part of the state for years.

Samples taken from hunter-killed elk in the area since 1991 indicate that seroprevalence rates (the percent of elk that have been exposed to the disease) in the area is around 3 percent.

According to Terry Kreeger, Veterinarian Services supervisor for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, finding an aborted fetus in this part of state is a “very, very rare event.”

Kreeger said, “Given the relatively low rate of brucellosis in this elk herd, it's likely that a few brucellosis-related abortions take place, but most are probably scavenged within 24 hours so we usually don't find them.”

Acting State Veterinarian Walt Cook said there were no cattle in the meadow where the fetus was recovered, so there was no risk of transmission of the disease to cattle.

He also said the producer has done some testing of cattle on the ranch, has found no evidence of brucellosis, and has agreed to test his entire herd next week.

In addition, Cook said the State Veterinarian's office will be conducting educational outreach concerning brucellosis in the area and will work with ranchers to provide voluntary testing and vaccination. 

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