Third case of chronic wasting disease confirmed in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A third case of chronic wasting disease has been confirmed in Arkansas.

The state Game and Fish Commission said Tuesday that a white-tailed deer found at Camp Orr recently tested positive for the fatal disease.

Earlier this month, another deer found dead in Ponca tested positive for the disease. The first case was discovered in a 2½-year-old elk that was killed near Pruitt during the October hunting season.

The disease affects animals such as elk, deer and moose. It’s unclear how it reached northern Arkansas.

There are no confirmed cases of the disease being transmitted to humans or livestock, but health officials say meat from infected animals shouldn’t be eaten.

The commission says it is taking samples in the area to determine the prevalence of the disease among the deer.