A new disease is confirmed in Idaho elk. Treponema Associated Hoof Disease or TAHD was discovered in a hunter killed elk. Tahd is a young disease in elk, discovered in Washington in 2000 also confirmed in Oregon in 2014. The disease affects elk hooves, causing deformities and lame elk. It is caused by a spirochete bacterium. Biologists don’t know how the disease is transferred or even what other animals it may effect.
This disease affects the feet and hooves of elk but generally does not involve the spread of the bacteria in the rest of the body. Individuals should wear rubber or latex gloves and refrain from eating or drinking while handling affected animals or carcasses. There is no human risk from this disease.
Anyone saw an elk with TAHD?
