Brucellosis Found in Sublette County Cows

Brucellosis has been detected in a herd of Sublette County cattle in Wyoming, and the herd has been put into quarantine.

The livestock producer's identity is protected by state law and kept confidential, but state veterinarian Jim Logan was able to say that about 400 animals are in the herd and that he suspects the prevalence of brucellosis is low.

Logan tells the Jackson Hole News & Guide that he's "pretty sure" the disease was spread to the cattle from elk.

Since 2003, all of Wyoming's cases of brucellosis in livestock have stemmed from exposure to elk. Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that can cause cows to abort their calves.

Yellowstone National Park in recent years has slaughtered bison infected with brucellosis to keep them away from cattle in Montana in winter. Montana, unlike Wyoming, hasn't had brucellosis in cattle recently.