ODFW Reminds Eastern Oregon hunters to report elk hoof disease

EASTERN OREGON – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is once again asking hunters to report sightings of elk suffering from Elk Hoof Disease. For those unfamiliar, Elk Hoof Disease, or Treponeme Associated Hoof Disease (TAHD)is described by ODFW’s 2020 fact sheet as a “bacterial-associated syndrome,” causing lameness in elk via deformed or weekend hooves.

As further described in the fact sheet:

“Elk with the disease can have deformed, overgrown, broken or sloughed hooves. These lesions can be painful and cause limping or lameness when walking. Elk that show these signs do not necessarily have elk hoof disease, as there are many other potential diseases or injuries that could cause similar abnormalities to elk hooves. Some bull elk also have deformities of the opposite antler depending on the timing of the hoof infection with antler growth.”

The exact vector for the spread of TAHD is unknown, though it is speculated to be via bacteria contamination of the soil from infected animals, which is then picked up by healthy ones. The disease became increasingly prominent in southwest Washington circa 2007-2008, with the first confirmed case in Oregon occurring in Washington County in 2014. Between 2014 and 2020, TAHD spread south and east, with a handful of cases being reported and confirmed in Union, Wallowa, Umatilla, Morrow and Grant counties during that period.

Hunters who harvest infected elk, or anyone that observes elk suspected of being infected, are asked to report the sightings to ODFW. Reports can be made online via the form here. Observations can also be reported to ODFW’s animal health lab at 866-968-2600 or by emailing ODFW’s veterinarians at Wildlife.Health@state.or.us to arrange collection of the animal.

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Elkhorn Media Group