Officials: Help prevent deer disease spread

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's firearms deer season takes place next month, and conservation officials are asking hunters to help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease.

The disease is deadly to deer, but there is no evidence it can affect humans. Deer can be affected through exposure to soil containing abnormal proteins that are called prions. The prions can get into soil when infected deer decompose on the surface.

The Conservation Department says hunters should avoid cutting through the spine, brain or bones. If hunters must move a whole carcass, they should send the nonedible parts to state-approved landfills for proper burial.