Elk hoof disease first discovered in Idaho, officials say

A disease that affects elk and leaves their broken and deformed hooves was discovered for the first time in Idaho, officials said.

The Fish and Game State Department has confirmed a case of hoof sickness badociated with a treponema in an animal killed by a hunter near White Bird, the department said this weekend.

It is a bacterial infection that was first identified in the neighboring state of Washington in 2000 and then in northwestern Oregon.

"ADHD is caused by a spirochaete bacteria that causes foot abnormalities and lameness in elk," said Fish and Game.

The bacteria cause lesions or ulcers that can make hooves deformed, broken or overgrown and cause lameness, Washington wildlife officials said.

There is no indication that the bacteria affects the meat or organs, and officials in Idaho said that there was no known risk to the people.

"Fish and Game communicates with us by professional courtesy but also by caution," said Chanel Tewalt, spokesman for the state of Idaho's agriculture department.

Tewalt said the agency had heard of no similar problem regarding Idaho cattle.

The way the disease is transmitted between animals is unclear and there is no vaccine to prevent or treat it, officials said.