Rabid deer confirmed in Cherokee County

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission recently confirmed a rare case of rabies in dead deer in Cherokee County.

The disease is “highly unusual” in deer, said commission spokeswoman Fairley Mahlum.

“We’re not certain how it was contracted. It’s possible that it might have been eating a pile of corn and was bitten by a rabid raccoon. Rabies has to be contracted by saliva. But we don’t know for sure,” she said.

Archery season for deer hunting is now open in Western North Carolina. Hunting with black powder opens Oct. 2 and hunting with gun opens Nov. 20.

The wildlife commission received multiple reports of dead deer around water sources and dying deer having trouble standing up, no fear of humans and lack of coordination, Mahlum said.

Rabies, hemorrhagic disease and chronic wasting disease can exhibit similar symptoms in affected deer. Biologists collected tissues from several of the animals and sent them to a laboratory for testing by the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study.

Of the two deer tested for rabies, only one with alopecia (loss of hair on its head), tested positive for rabies. Baldness is common in rabies-infected deer, Mahlum said, which prompted the rabies test.

Rabies can affect all mammals, causing inflammation in the brain with symptoms that can include lethargy, loss of balance, unexplained aggressiveness and eye or nose discharge.

Hemorrhagic disease symptoms can include depression, fever, swelling in the head, neck, tongue or eyelids, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite and no fear of humans.

As symptoms worsen, fever sets in and the deer seek out water, which is why infected deer are usually found dead around water sources. So far this year there have been 49 cases of hemorrhagic disease confirmed in Western North Carolina, including 20 in Cherokee County, 16 in Macon, 12 in Swain and one in Transylvania.

Chronic wasting disease affects deer and elk, causing a spongy degeneration of the brain resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and ultimately death. There have been no cases of this disease in North Carolina, Mahlum said.

“We rarely test deer for rabies because we generally don’t have any reason to suspect they are infected,” wildlife commission veterinarian Maria Palamar said in a statement.

“However, it is important to know that all mammals, including pets and humans, can contract rabies and taking the proper precautions is essential.”

“People should not worry about contracting the disease,” Mahlum said. “As long as people follow these simple tips, they should be fine.”

The public should take the following precautions to prevent disease transmission:

• Do not handle or eat any animal that is acting abnormal or appears to be sick.
• Wear latex or rubber gloves when field dressing.
• Minimize the handling of the brain and spinal cord.
• Do not allow pets around field dressing area to prevent contact with blood and other tissues.
• Wash hands, boots and instruments thoroughly after completing field dressing.
• If you have your deer commercially processed, request your animal is processed individually and without meat from other animals.
• Use proper cooking temperatures to ensure safe food.

If you encounter a deer exhibiting disease symptoms or see a dead deer with alopecia on its head, call the Commission’s N.C. Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401. On weekends call 800-662-7137.