Brucellosis Detected In Area West Of Big Horn Mountains

A disease that can be harmful to livestock has been detected west of the Big Horn Mountains.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has detected brucellosis in Elk Hunt Area 45 which is located northeast of Worland, and north of Ten Sleep in northeast Washakie County and southeast Big Horn County.

The disease was detected in a hunter-harvest bull elk last month.

Last week the blood sample submitted to the Wildlife Health Laboratory tested positive for brucellosis. 

The positive detection was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. 

The Wyoming Livestock Board is working closely with Game and Fish to monitor the disease. 

Brucellosis has not been documented in livestock in this area. 

Game and Fish will increase surveillance efforts in the Bighorn Mountains in 2023 to determine the extent and distribution of the disease. 

Brucellosis was first detected on the western slope of the Bighorn Mountains in 2012, but has not been detected since 2016. 

Brucellosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Brucella abortus, and is a concern for the livestock industry. 

Elk, bison and domestic cattle are susceptible to brucellosis, which may cause animals to abort calves and further transmit the disease. 

Brucellosis is transmitted primarily through contact of animals with infected aborted fetuses, placentas, bodily fluids, or milk and ingestion of the bacteria.