Brucellosis in Madison Valley elk herds has not risen to an alarming level, but is more prevalent and should be monitored more stringently, state and federal experts say.

Studies this past winter show 6.9 percent of elk in the herd tested positive for exposure to the disease, which causes abortion and other reproductive problems in many mammals and is spread primarily through contact with infected birthing materials or aborted fetuses.

Exposure rates higher than 5 percent are typically cause for concern, said Ryan Clark, a veterinarian for the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the agency that oversees brucellosis programs.

Clark was among several state and federal veterinarians and biologists who met in Bozeman on Monday to determine future monitoring steps and other details, like how many elk need to be tested and where those animals travel over the year.

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Source: Associated Press
May 10, 2005

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