Wildlife Managers: Elk Elk in Lincoln County Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease



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Lincoln County, Oklahoma – A public body in Oklahoma has confirmed that a Lincoln county surge has been diagnosed with a deadly disease.

In January, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Department proposed to add wording to its rules regarding the import, transport or possession of deer and deer carcasses to help protect Oklahoma deer and elk of chronic debilitating disease.

"Oklahoma deer hunters may have heard of the chronic wasting disease that affects deer and elk in other states. ODWC has been tracking the progress of the MDC for decades and is preparing for the case where the disease is detected in the state's wild flock, "said Micah Holmes, ODWC's Information Supervisor.

Chronic wasting is a neurological disease that attacks the brain of deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family. The disease creates holes in the brain, which is always fatal for the animal. It is a slowly evolving disease with a long lag between infection and visible symptoms.

Infected animals began to lose weight, lose appetite and develop an insatiable craving. They tend to separate from the flock, walk in repetitive patterns, stumble or tremble, bend their head, salivate, urinate frequently, and cringe.

At this point, no treatment or vaccine exists.

The disease is spread when the animals are in close contact with or in contact with soil containing urine protein particles, stool, saliva or the carcass of an infected animal.

Officials said the chronic debilitating disease had been confirmed in wild deer and elk in each surrounding state of Oklahoma.

At present, the authorities say that an impetus from a Lincoln County breeding herd has been tested positive for the disease.

The 2-year-old elk died from an injury and was tested according to the establishment's flock certification plan.

Investigators say they have quarantined the breeding establishment and a nearby commercial hunting area. ODWC will perform tests on the presence of disease in wild deer in the near area of ​​the facility.

After the findings, the state veterinarian issued a motion ban order for all transport of cervids in the state for 30 days to assess the situation.

This is the second confirmed case of MDC in Oklahoma, the other case occurring in 1998.

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