Chronic wasting disease found in more captive Missouri deer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri conservation officials say two more captive white-tailed deer have tested positive for a fatal illness called chronic wasting disease.

The state Agriculture Department said the deer were killed at Heartland Wildlife Ranches in north-central Missouri’s Macon County. As required, the company has been killing off and testing its herd since a deer tested positive in October.

The company also owns a captive hunting preserve in nearby Linn County where a deer was diagnosed with chronic wasting disease in February 2010.

The neurological disease afflicts deer, elk and moose. It’s contagious among those animals, but experts say there’s no evidence that it poses a risk to humans, other livestock, pets or food safety.

The Macon County deer were inspected as part of the state’s chronic wasting disease testing and surveillance program.

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Online:

http://www.mda.mo.gov