Yellowknife (July 10/06) - There is a suspected outbreak of anthrax in bison in the Slave River Lowlands.

As of July 7, 17 bison were found dead in an eight-kilometre radius from where the first two carcasses were discovered on June 26.

Anthrax is a naturally occurring disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax spores can remain viable in soil for many years. Under certain conditions, such as high water followed by hot and dry weather, the spores concentrate in low-lying areas. Bison contract the disease by inhaling contaminated soil while wallowing in dust baths. A diseased bison may appear depressed or indifferent to people. It may have a frothy discharge from the nostrils and swollen body parts. The animal may stagger or have a stiff-legged gait. It usually dies within 72 hours and can’t travel very far from where it was infected. Carcasses typically lie on their backs in a sawhorse position and are severely bloated. Humans can contract anthrax from contact with infected animals or carcasses. Anthrax can cause skin, respiratory and intestinal infection in humans. Skin infections are most common and cause dark pustules. Anthrax infections can be fatal, but can be controlled if promptly treated with antibiotics. - Source: Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Preliminary field tests on three carcasses indicated two had anthrax.

As of Friday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) was awaiting test results from a Canadian Food Inspection Agency laboratory in Alberta to confirm the presence of anthrax.

“I would say it’s within the range of a normal outbreak,” said ENR spokesperson Judy McLinton, noting the last outbreak in the area in 2001 killed 12 bison.

The outbreak is in the remote North Prairie area of the lowlands, about 80 km southeast of Fort Resolution and about 38 km from Wood Buffalo National Park.

Twelve anthrax outbreaks in the Slave River Lowlands and Wood Buffalo National Park were recorded between 1962 and 2001.

ENR activated its anthrax response plan. The area where the dead bison were found is closed to the public. Department staff in protective gear treated the carcasses and surrounding soil with a chemical sterilant.

“They take all necessary precautions,” McLinton said of the workers.

All bison carcasses will be burned.

“The only way people can contract anthrax is by having contact with infected animals or carcasses,” McLinton noted.

The dead bison were originally spotted by an ENR anthrax surveillance flight. Such flights happen every year and will continue until mid-August.

No anthrax outbreak was found this year in bison in Wood Buffalo National Park.

Mike Keizer, the park’s communications manager, said annual surveillance flights began about two weeks ago.

Plus, he noted park workers are conducting what’s known as a bison segregation count to determine the numbers of bulls, cows and yearlings.

That means the park is in a better position to spot any outbreak and react immediately, he said.

Keizer said visitors to the park should not worry about the report of anthrax, since it is in an isolated area outside of park boundaries.

“It’s the word that causes people to be concerned,” he said.

An anthrax outbreak in Wood Buffalo in 2001 caused some tourists to cancel visits, even though the disease was located in a remote area of the massive park.

Keizer said it’s safe to visit the park and communities in the South Slave.