Cattle Herds in Park and Sublette Counties Test Positive for Brucellosis

The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) announced on February 21 that two additional cattle herds in Park and Sublette counties have tested positive for brucellosis, a reproductive disease that can lead to cattle abortions.

These herds are now quarantined, and the new detections bring the total number of quarantined herds in Wyoming to four—three in Park County and one in Sublette County.

Both affected herds are located within Wyoming’s Brucellosis Designated Surveillance Area (DSA), which is regularly monitored for the disease. Brucellosis is occasionally transmitted from wildlife to cattle within the DSA. The livestock board does not anticipate any contact herd quarantines but confirmed that the affected herds are undergoing serial testing to meet the quarantine release requirements.

Brucellosis is a costly disease for both livestock and wildlife, and it can cause a variety of symptoms in infected cattle, including abortion, weight loss, decreased milk production, and infertility. Regular surveillance testing for cattle in the DSA includes mandatory testing before cattle leave the area or change ownership.

Since its discovery, brucellosis has been closely monitored, with surveillance efforts involving collaboration between private veterinarians, herd owners, and government agencies such as the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

In response to a current brucellosis vaccine shortage, the state has loosened some vaccine requirements for cattle outside of the DSA, though the standard surveillance testing continues.

For more information, individuals can contact the Wyoming Livestock Board or the Wyoming State Veterinarian’s office.

With input from NBC Montana, News Letter Journal, and Wyoming Public Media.