© 2023 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations

Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in Farm Near Big Rapids

Whitetail deer photo
pixabay
/

Officials say chronic wasting disease has been confirmed in a deer from a farm where deer are raised in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development says the disease was confirmed this week in a female deer at the Mecosta County farm.

State veterinarian James Averill says in a statement that the deer farmer whose herd is affected "has gone above and beyond any state requirements to protect ... deer from disease."

Averill says it wasn't immediately known how the infection made it to the herd.

The neurological disease affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. It's spread through saliva and other body fluids of infected animals.

There have been about 30 confirmed or suspected infections of whitetail deer in the state since 2015.

Related Content
Support local journalism by becoming a new WKAR donor and get ad-free feeds of your favorite NPR podcasts with NPR+ when you donate $8/month or more! Make your contribution today to fund more vetted news reports throughout mid-Michigan!