Anthrax and a biochemical attack seven years ago on Sen. Tom Daschle's office have been in the news recently, as the disturbed scientist believed to have been responsible for the deadly Washington, D.C., attacks was finally identified. The man apparently committed suicide as federal authorities were about to make an arrest.

Anthrax is making the news in South Dakota as well it has been detected in three southeastern South Dakota cattle herds but South Dakota State University experts say there's no need for great concern.

The Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ADRDL) closely monitors outbreaks , and Russ Daly, Extension veterinarian and SDSU assistant professor, is the man who keeps tabs on anthrax cases in the state.

This year, samples from three herds in Douglas and Hutchinson herds comes Russ Daly from a bacteria found naturally in the environment , not the weapons-grade anthrax used criminally. South Dakota is said to be in an "anthrax belt," where anthrax spores are Counties have tested positive for a relatively small anthrax outbreak confined to cattle.

D a l y explained that the anthrax infecting cattle simply a fact of life.

"We know that the environment weather, pasture conditions has a lot to do with cases popping up," Daly said.

Anthrax isn't generally spread from animal to animal. Instead, cattle eat bacterial spores in pasture soil or grass. Inside the animal's body, bacteria reproduce rapidly and produce a fatal toxin.

Researchers think increased rainfall this summer may have contributed to the anthrax outbreak . Pastures with standing water pose a higher risk for anthrax because pasture flooding disrupts soil and flushes out anthrax spores, leaving them exposed on the grass when the water recedes.

Although anthrax is zoonotic, meaning it's able to pass from animals to humans, Daly explained that exposure to this form of anthrax usually results in "rather nasty skin infections" in people exposed but is not typically fatal.

"Worker safety is of the utmost importance at the ADRDL," Daly said. "Anthrax-suspect cases are handled under ventilated air hoods that prevent lab workers from contacting or breathing in the bacteria."

The ADRDL's speedy diagnosis has enabled the South Dakota Animal Industry Board to identify herds affected by the anthrax outbreak , contain them, dispose of the infected animals and quarantine the affected herds.

Of course, like any good doctor, whether veterinarian or human, Daly and the ADRDL staff prefer prevention to containment.

"For that reason, we recommend that all South Dakota cattle producers vaccinate their cattle for anthrax," advised Daly.

"The vaccine is inexpensive and effective," he said.

More information on anthrax, the ADRDL's work and vaccinations is available at http:// vetsci.sdstate.edu/vetext.