Deadly disease found in deer in Madera County
MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A deadly disease that affects deer and elk has been discovered in Madera County and Inyo County, the first time the disease has been detected in California, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Officials say Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a potentially fatal neurological disease in cervid animals, such as deer, elk, moose and reindeer. The disease has been found in affected free-ranging animals from 34 states, five Canadian provinces, and areas of Scandinavia. It affects the brain, causing progressive damage and eventually death. Officials say there is no effective treatment or vaccine to combat it
Officials say they received confirmation on May 6 from samples collected from two deer, one in Madera County that died from unknown causes and one from Inyo County that was found dead after a vehicle collision.
There appears to be no known link between CWD and human disease, officials say.
Clinical signs of the disease include progressive weight loss, clumsy movements and lack of coordination, listlessness, drooling, excessive thirst or urination and behavioral changes. Once these symptoms develop death occurs quickly, according to officials.
“CWD infected animals can excrete infectious prions before clinical signs appear and these prions can persist in the environment for years, making it very difficult to prevent or control the spread once it has been introduced,” said, Dr. Brandon Munk with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Munk says the public can help limit the spread of the disease by reporting any signs of illnesses in deer and elk populations. Hunters should consider testing their harvested deer or elk.
To report a sick deer or elk, click here.
