Libby deer infected with wasting disease

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials recently found a white-tailed doe infected with Chronic Wasting Disease for the first time west of the Continental Divide, and the animal was found within the Libby city limits, according to a press release from the state agency.

Libby residents reported seeing an “emaciated and sick-looking” deer, according to the release. The deer, which was killed in the city limits, tested positive for the disease.

An incident command team will define a 10-mile radius around the spot where officials picked up the infected deer. They will collect samples of road-killed deer and look into the disease’s prevalence and distribution within the area.

Chronic Wasting Disease is a slow-moving disease, but if it is left unchanged, the disease could result in long-term population decline of herds, according to the release. States bordering Montana, as well as Canada, have all found the disease in their deer populations.

The disease was first found in wild deer in Montana in October 2017. To date, Chronic Wasting Disease has been detected in Carbon, Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Phillips, Valley, Daniels, Sheridan and now Lincoln counties. To prevent the spread of the disease within Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks establishes Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zones in areas where the disease has been found. Whole carcass, whole head or spinal column from any deer, elk, or moose harvested cannot be removed from these zones unless the animal has tested negative for the disease, according to the release.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks said symptoms of the disease include a lack of muscle coordination, excessive salivation and often consumption of large amounts of water.

Lincoln County Public Health Manager Jennifer McCully said there are no health concerns or evidence of people becoming infected with the disease, at the moment.

However, “precautions should be taken,” she emphasized. There are other similar diseases, such as mad cow disease, which can cause health problems for people.

McCully advised people to not eat the meat of an animal that appears sick. Health recommendations when handling all deer include not cutting through the brain or spinal cord of the deer, as well as using protective gear.

If someone spots a deer that appears to be sick, the state agency advised residents in the Libby area to call 406-291-6539 and leave a message with their name, number and location of the sighting, as well as when they saw the deer.