Disease Hits Deer

Wildlife

Wildlife officials are puzzled by the source of a disease affecting many deer in Western Washington.

The condition is characterized by large bald patches, bluish skin and white blotches on the remaining fur.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has received reports of sick animals in Anacortes, Buckley, Centralia and Grays Harbor.

On Indian Island, near Port Townsend, all the deer are showing symptoms, said Fish and Wildlife Department veterinarian Briggs Hall.

A helicopter survey near the town of Fall City east of Seattle showed that about 60 percent of the deer were ailing.

The disease has proven fatal in some cases, particularly to yearlings.

Even if the disease is identified, no obvious solution would be available, Hall said.

“There’s not much you can do to treat a virus in a free-ranging population.”