Hidden costs of disease to greater Yellowstone elk

(S.J.& Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Utah State University) For decades researchers have known that a bacterial disease in elk, bison and cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem causes periodic abortions in these animals and chronic illness in humans drinking infected cow's milk. The disease, called brucellosis, poses a financial concern for dairy producers and cattle ranchers, but its effects on the wild elk population have generally been considered minor.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news