The North Dakota State University (NDSU) confirmed this outbreak: anthrax killed 15 beef cattle from a Dunn County farm. State Veterinarian Susan Keller says the source farm is under quarantine and the effected animals´ bodies were burned and buried. Keller says the cattle deaths are no threat to the public.
The remaining animals in the herd were treated with antibiotics and are expected to fare well. Animals can die a couple of weeks after exposure to anthrax spores, often with no sign of illness.
Risk to humans from cattle is low since veterinarians are trained to detect the disease, says Charlie Stoltenow, DVM for NDSU extension service.
The myostatin gene and its relevance to livestock animals
Myostatin, also known as growth differentiation factor 8, a member of the transforming growth factorâ€beta superâ€family, is a negative regulator of muscle development. Myostatin acts at key points during pre†and postâ€natal life of amniotes that ultimately determine the overall muscle mass of an animal. A fascinating summary about the current an overview of mechanisms of action and its potential relevance in livestock animals.
