As of August 10, laboratory results have confirmed that anthrax infection killed three animals—a cow, kudu and a whitetail deer—on three premises in Uvalde and Val Verde Counties in Southwest Texas. Anthrax, caused by the spore-forming Bacillus anthracis bacteria, can remain dormant in soil for years, but may become vegetative after periods of wet, cool weather, followed by weeks of hot and dry conditions. Animals become infected when they ingest the invisible bacteria as they graze.