https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2020/05/07/elk-hoof-disease-detected-in-del-norte-county-herd/

May 7, 2020
<https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2020/05/07/elk-hoof-disease-detected-in-del-norte-county-herd/>
by ptirawildlife <https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/author/ptirawildlife/>,
posted in Uncategorized
<https://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/>

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has detected the
state’s first cases of a potentially crippling hoof disease in two
Roosevelt elk from a resident herd in Del Norte County.

Treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD) – commonly referred to as “elk
hoof disease” – can cause deformed, overgrown and otherwise damaged hooves.
The lesions and resulting deformities are painful and lead to limping,
lameness and even death as observed in other states. When the disease is
severe, elk may become too weak to graze, fight off other infections or
escape predators.

TAHD was first identified in elk from Washington state in the 1990s, but
much remains unknown about the disease. Currently, there is no known cure
or vaccination.

TAHD has been documented in elk in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Recent
detections in Oregon’s Douglas County
<https://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2020/04_April/040820.asp> were previously
the closest to California. TAHD gets its name from a bacterium, *Treponema* sp.,
that is associated with this disease, but other pathogens also may play a
role. Scientists at Washington State University who are experienced with
TAHD confirmed the disease in the two Roosevelt elk from Del Norte County.

It is unknown what impact TAHD may have on elk populations in California or
other states. California is home to three subspecies of elk – Rocky
Mountain elk, Roosevelt elk and tule elk – that together inhabit
approximately 25 percent of the state. In other states, both Rocky Mountain
and Roosevelt elk have contracted TAHD. To date, there are no known cases
of TAHD among tule elk.

While the disease appears to be highly infectious among elk, there is no
evidence that it affects humans. Still, hunters who harvest an elk
exhibiting signs of deformed or damaged hooves should exercise caution and
practice safe hygiene when processing, cooking and consuming the meat.
Hunters also are encouraged to submit hoof samples to CDFW from suspect elk.

CDFW will be working with natural resource agencies in other western states
and academic partners to increase surveillance for TAHD in California, plan
management actions and facilitate research.

The general public can assist CDFW’s efforts by reporting any elk that
appears to be limping, lame or have abnormal hooves via CDFW’s Wildlife
Investigations Lab disease and mortality reporting website:
https://wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/laboratories/wildlife-investigations/monitoring/mortality-report
.

Additional information on elk hoof disease is available at the following
links:

– Washington State University’s webpage on TAHD:
vmp.vetmed.wsu.edu/research/elk-hoof-disease
– Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s webpage on TAHD:
wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/diseases/elk-hoof
– Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s fact sheet on TAHD:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/docs/elkhoofdiseasefactsheetfinal.pdf

Media Contacts:
Dr. Brandon Munk <Brandon.Munk@wildlife.ca.gov>, CDFW Wildlife
Investigations Lab, (916) 358-1194
Peter Tira <Peter.Tira@wildlife.ca.gov>, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858