The New York State Departments of Agriculture and Markets and Environmental Conservation and the state Department of Health confirmed a case of chronic wasting disease on Sunday.
According to the CDC, CWD is a type of prion disease that occurs when "proteins normally in the body misfold, causing symptoms that eventually result in death."
CWD affects the brain and central nervous system of deer, elk and moose.
The isolated case in a captive deer was discovered in the DEC's Region 6, which includes Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis, Oneida, and Herkimer counties. The disease spreads through contract in animals.
Officials say there is no strong evidence it can spread to humans, but they ask residents to not eat meat from infected animals.
As a result of the positive case, the state is implementing the interagency CWD Response Plan in an effort to investigate the detection and enhance surveillance of wild deer.
The CDC notes it "may take months to years before an infected animal shows symptoms," which can include:
- Drastic weight loss (called wasting)
- Stumbling or lack of coordination
- Drooling
- Listlessness (appearing "out of it")
- Excessive thirst or peeing
- Drooping ears
The DEC says there's no sign that CWD is present wild deer at this time, but says they are surveying local deer populations with the help of local hunters and processors.
State officials are asking for the public, including hunters, to report any sick or dying deer they see, including roadkill, to the DEC’s Region 6 Wildlife Office at 315-785-2263.