Media Tip Sheet: Colorado State University Experts on Anthrax and Livestock
Note to Reporters: CSU experts are available to talk about the recent diagnosis of anthrax in cattle in northeastern Colorado. This tip sheet is for media resource only and is not intended for public distribution.
Livestock health and anthrax
Drs. Stacey Byers and Rob Callan are veterinarians at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, one of the top veterinary schools in the country. They work in the Livestock Medicine and Surgery area and can answer questions on livestock health and anthrax. To speak with the veterinarians, contact Emily Wilmsen at Emily.Wilmsen@colostate.edu or (970) 491-2336.
Economic threats to ranching
Jack C. Whittier is a Colorado State University Extension beef specialist and associate professor in the Department of Animal Science at Colorado State. Whittier can speak about livestock care and health, the financial impact a rancher would experience after a significant loss of livestock, as well as management and maintenance related to ranching. To speak with Whittier, contact Jennifer Dimas at Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu or (970) 491-1543.
Livestock diagnosis
Dr. Barb Powers, veterinarian and director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, can talk about how the facility helps monitor the health of animals and wildlife in the state and researches new approaches to disease diagnosis, disease surveillance and early detection. The lab provides disease testing services to veterinarians and their clients, many state and federal agencies, livestock owners and pet owners. The laboratory diagnoses and recommends further diagnostic strategies for ill animals and monitors the health of animals across the state and region, helping to detect and prevent diseases in animals and diseases affecting public health. To speak with Powers, contact Emily Wilmsen at Emily.Wilmsen@colostate.edu or (970) 491-2336.
Bacterial infections in animals
Dr. Robert Jones in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology can talk about the transmission, diagnosis, characterization and treatment of bacterial infections of domestic animals. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of organisms isolated from animals provides valuable insight into emerging problems of antimicrobial resistance and provides guidance in the clinical treatment of animals with bacterial disease. To speak with Jones, contact Emily Wilmsen at Emily.Wilmsen@colostate.edu or (970) 491-2336.
Agricultural health and safety
Stephen Reynolds, director of the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health & Safety based at Colorado State University, can talk about improving the health, safety, and well-being of those working in the agriculture industry. The center is composed of a multi-disciplinary team that researches topics such as mechanical hazards, tractor roll-overs, musculo-skeletal stress, respiratory disease and traumatic injury. To speak with Reynolds, contact Emily Wilmsen at Emily.Wilmsen@colostate.edu or (970) 491-2336.
Ecology of anthrax
Mary Stromberger, associate professor of Soil Microbiology in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, can speak about the distribution and life cycle of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, in soils. To speak with Stromberger, contact Jennifer Dimas at Jennifer.Dimas@colostate.edu or (970) 491-1543.
Veterinary Extension
The CSU Veterinary Extension team of Drs. Frank Garry, Dave Van Metre and Ragan Adams are engaged in research, education and outreach as well as contributors to the CSU Cooperative Extension system. They coordinate with extension educators, and other extension specialists to provide information and access to problem solving expertise across a broad range of animal health and production issues. Additional resources for the public are available at CSU Extension at http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/ag/animal-disease.html. To speak with the veterinarians, contact Emily Wilmsen at Emily.Wilmsen@colostate.edu or (970) 491-2336.
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