Free ranging Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep and an outbreak of inflammatory bowel disease along the Clark Fork River in Plains, Montana

Abstract

Nine individuals with ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease grew up or lived in Plains, Montana, a 1,200-person community adjacent to the Clark Fork River near herds of free ranging Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. This inflammatory bowel disease outbreak is similar to others that have occurred along rivers contaminated by animal feces. © 2012 Landes Bioscience.