Fatal disease not found in escaped deer - abc27 WHTM

The state Department of Agriculture says chronic wasting disease was not found in a doe that escaped from a New Oxford farm where two deer have tested positive for the illness.

The doe, known by its farm tag "Pink 23," escaped the deer farm at 1491 New Chester Road in mid-October as officials were removing the captive herd for testing and was shot last month on an adjoining deer farm at 1305 New Chester Road.

Both farms remain quarantined.

The Agriculture Department said tests are underway on a deer that escaped from an unlicensed deer farm in Huntington County. The deer, known as "Purple 4," was originally on a farm that was quarantined.

State officials have quarantined 24 farms in 12 counties that have been identified as being associated with the herd at 1491 New Chester Road.

Chronic wasting disease attacks the brains of infected antlered animals such as deer, elk and moose, producing small lesions that eventually result in death. Animals can get the disease through direct contact with saliva, feces and urine from an infected animal.

There is no evidence that humans or livestock can get the disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.