Wichita ? Researchers say an especially virulent disease that broke out in a wild buffalo herd has not spread to most other herds in the state.

The disease, mycoplasma bovis, causes pneumonia, mastitis and arthritis in the animals. It claimed at least 47 head at the state-owned Maxwell Wildlife Refuge near Wichita, raising concerns that other animals in the state could be infected.

“The disease is not widespread in the state and we have a number of healthy herds,” said Jerry Schmidt, a retired Wildlife and Parks officer and bison rancher. “We know that it is not a disease that spreads rapidly. It really takes the right set of conditions.”

The outbreak at the Maxwell refuge caused the cancellation of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ annual sale, a mid-November tradition for nearly 30 years.

But the Kansas Buffalo Association still plans to conduct its annual sale today in Salina. From 450 to 500 animals are expected to be consigned for sale.

“We knew we had the disease and we couldn’t get it halted in time to guarantee that the animals in the sale would be healthy,” said Maxwell refuge manager Cliff Peterson. “But the state association breeders do know their animals are healthy. There should be no problem with the sale.”

Experts also say the disease does not pose any risks for humans.

“Obviously, nobody is processing sick animals,” Schmidt said. “But this is not a disease that contaminates meat or causes human illness.”

The disease is relatively rare in native Kansas herds, first appearing in cattle in the United States in the 1960s. While there is a vaccine for cattle, experts are unsure how effective it is in buffaloes.