State officials have detected a case of chronic wasting disease in a member of the deer family in Hillsdale County.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or MDARD, announced the case, reported in a farmed, privately owned cervid, an animal in the deer family, in an Oct. 20 news release.
"While regular surveillance leads to early detection and is a fundamental piece of the response effort, MDARD’s ongoing collaboration with herd owners, their veterinarians, and our federal partners is crucial to managing the disease for the long term," said state veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. "Ensuring the health of Michigan’s farmed cervid population has been and continues to be a team effort."
Investigations into the
case are ongoing, per MDARD.
Here's what to know about the disease in Hillsdale County.
Where have Michigan officials reported chronic wasting disease?
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a farmed cervid, a member of the deer family, in Hillsdale County, per the release. Officials found the case through Michigan's chronic wasting disease surveillance program.
Farmed, or privately owned cervids, can be deer, elk, reindeer, or other species in the deer family, per MDARD. The animals are typically raised by owners for breeding, meat production, private hunting, animal watching and specialty products, the department said.
State officials have previously found CWD cases in farmed cervid facilities in at least eight counties across Michigan.
What is chronic wasting disease?
Chronic wasting disease is a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting deer, elk, moose and similar animals, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illness is believed to spread among the animals via bodily fluids like feces, saliva, blood and urine, directly or by indirect contamination.
Animals with CWD could continue appearing healthy for months or years, but will eventually show symptoms such as abnormal behavior, progressive weight loss and physical debilitation as the disease progresses, MDARD said in the release.
How can you avoid CWD?
When hunting in areas known to have CWD detected, the CDC recommends the following guidance:
- Do not shoot, handle or eat animals that look sick or act strangely
- Do not touch or eat meat from animals found dead
For field dressing a deer or handling meat, the CDC advises doing the following:
- Wear latex or rubber gloves
- Avoid handling the animal's internal organs, especially its brain or spine
- Do not use knives or other tools you use in your kitchen
Before hunting, check state guidance and see if CWD testing is required in the area.
Where is Hillsdale County?
Hillsdale County is a southwestern Michigan county along Michigan's southern border with Indiana and Ohio. The county is home to around 45,000 residents, per the U.S. Census Bureau, and its county seat is the city of Hillsdale.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Officials find chronic wasting disease in Hillsdale County. What is it?
