State takes precautions because of deer disease

Associated Press

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio

State officials are encouraging hunters in Holmes County to process deer locally to minimize the risk of a rare disease detected in Ohio.

Chronic Wasting Disease was found in October in a captive deer population at World Class Whitetails hunting facility in Millersburg, northeast of Columbus. Though no cases of the disease have been detected in Ohio’s wild deer herd, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the state agriculture department said precautions are vital to preventing the spread of the disease.

The state is asking Holmes County hunters to process their deer at facilities within the county, and keep the carcass in the area as well.

The disease, which hasn’t been shown to infect humans, attacks the brain of the infected animal, produces lesions, and eventually kills the animal. Infected deer, elk or moose will lose weight, salivate excessively and increase drinking and urination. They generally will act abnormally and may stumble or allow humans to get unusually close.

The Ohio Division of Wildlife has tested samples from Holmes County for the disease, and will continue to monitor for it, officials said.

Other states also have taken precautions to keep the disease from infecting their deer populations. Earlier this month, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation tightened rules on hunters bringing game from Ohio.

At least 19 states have found the disease in their wild deer populations. Ohio was the 14th state to identify the disease in its captive population.