POCATELLO — Health officials are administering preventive treatment to individuals in northern Utah after the detection of anthrax bacterium in a cow that originated in Idaho, amid additional confirmed cases in a Gem State beef herd.

The Bear River Health Department in Logan near the Idaho-Utah border confirmed lab results from a deceased cow tested positive for anthrax. The results were submitted to the Utah State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which confirmed the cow died from an infection of Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax.

Officials are administering preventive treatment to individuals who had direct contact with the deceased cow. Those with direct exposure have been identified and are receiving preventive care, including antibiotics and the anthrax vaccine.

No additional risk to the community has been identified, officials said.

The department said these safety measures are standard public health protocols and are highly effective at preventing illness following exposure. Health officials said this is a naturally occurring case found in livestock and is not related to bioterrorism or a deliberate act.

“The department is providing this information proactively so that if community members hear that preventive antibiotics or vaccines were administered, they understand this was done out of caution and in line with public health procedures — not because of any ongoing threat to the public,” the Bear River Health Department said.

The Bear River Health Department is coordinating with Utah State University, state partners and federal agencies to ensure appropriate monitoring and mitigation.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture also confirmed an anthrax case in a beef herd in Cassia County.

None of the infected cattle entered the food supply, and there is no threat to food safety associated with this detection, according to an ISDA news release.

“The risk to the general public from this event is very low,” said Dr. Christine Hahn, medical director in the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Public Health. “We are working with the local health department to notify anyone who had direct contact with the infected cattle and offer antibiotics for their protection.”

Authorities have not yet commented on whether the cases in northern Utah and East Idaho could be related.

While it is rare, people can become infected through contact with affected animals or contaminated animal products or by exposure to spores in contaminated soil. There are no confirmed human cases in Idaho.

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a naturally occurring bacterium known to occur regularly in many U.S. states. The spore-forming bacteria can survive in soil for years to decades and may cause sporadic outbreaks. Outbreaks often occur after periods of drought followed by heavy rainfall.

Livestock and wildlife can become infected by inhaling or ingesting spores from contaminated soil, plants or water. Clinical signs of anthrax in livestock include sudden death, weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, fever and bloody diarrhea.

“The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is working with producers and veterinarians to reduce further spread and limit human exposure,” said Dr. Scott Leibsle, Idaho state veterinarian. “Control measures include proper carcass disposal and vaccination of susceptible animals in the area. Anthrax vaccine is approved for multiple livestock species and is highly effective.”

Livestock owners who suspect anthrax should contact their veterinarian or the Idaho State Veterinarian’s office at 208-332-8540 or ID-DVM@isda.idaho.gov.

Residents with questions regarding the incident in Utah may contact the Bear River Health Department at 435-792-6525.