BRECKINRIDGE COUNTY, Ky. (WEVV) � The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is alerting the public after a deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD.
Officials say a deceased deer at a deer farm in Breckinridge County tested positive for CWD.
The diseases, which is sometimes referred to as "zombie deer" disease, is always fatal in infected animals, and there is no vaccine or treatment.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the farm in Breckinridge County is a participant in the state deer program, and is now under quarantine restricting movement into or out of the facility - including live deer or deer products.
The Office of State Veterinarian established a five-mile management zone and a 15-mile surveillance zone for herds near the affected deer farm. Officials say they're also diligently reviewing recent movement records, and all deer farms in the management and surveillance zones are under restricted movement until further order of the State Veterinarian.
Since CWD was first reported in the America, it has now spread to animals in more than half of the states in the continental United States.
Scientists say they think CWD spreads between animals through contact with fluids of an infected animal. They say they suspect it can also spread indirectly through the environment, such as in soil, drinking water or food.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture says more information about the Office of State Veterinarian’s response will be updated on the State Veterinarian’s website at .
