Deer hunters urged to lookout for Bovine Tuberculosis - WTHR
LANSING, Mich. (WTHR) - Wildlife officials in Michigan are warning hunters to inspect their deer for a serious disease.
The state's Department of Natural Resources says bovine tuberculosis was reported in 10 counties last year and managers are trying to eradicate the disease from white-tail deer in the state.
So far in the 2018 hunting season, Michigan DNR has reported five cases in four counties.
The DNR shared a photo of an infected deer's rib cage, showing white, bubble-shaped sores on the flesh.
Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that attack the respiratory system of animals and humans. Bovine tuberculosis can infect the widest variety of animals, 25News in Flint, Mich. reports.
The bacteria is spread by coughing, sneezing and exchanging saliva. Food that has been contaminated by the saliva of an infected animal can spread it, as well.
Michigan is reportedly the only state in the nation that has bovine tuberculosis in wild deer.
Hunters in 16 counties are being urged to submit heads of harvested deer for testing. Those counties include:
- Alcona
- Alpena
- Cheboygan
- Crawford
- Huron
- Iosco
- Lake
- Mecosta
- Montmorency
- Newaygo
- Ogemaw
- Osceola
- Oscoda
- Otsego
- Presque Isle
- Roscommon
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