(Meade County, SD) — A herd of unvaccinated western South Dakota cattle is dead after contracting anthrax. The South Dakota State University animal disease lab has confirmed the presence of the disease in the herd of 160 Meade County cows. State Veterinarian Dr. Beth Thompson says there is the potential for an outbreak through much of the state’s cattle. Direct contact with infected cattle could lead to a skin infection in humans that is treatable with antibiotics.