Mountain Goat Virus Spreads to Humans, Pets

0:00It's April 2nd. Welcome to Anchorage News Today, powered by AI, I'm Cory with the story. Three young mountain goats infected with contagious ectema turned up this winter on popular hiking trails around Juno. This viral skin disease causes nasty lesions around the mouth, eyes and nose. It spreads easily to humans and pets, staying mild in people and dogs, but often deadly for go kids and lambs. Back in December, wildlife officials found one dead on the flume trail. Even in January, a hiker brought home a sick kid from Perseverance Trail, so fish and game had to euthanize it. Mid-March brought the third case, another dead kid on Perseverance that a smart hiker pushed off the trail with sticks to keep dogs away. Folks call it orf when it hits humans, showing up as a lesion about a week after contact and clearing up on its own after a few weeks. No big deal usually, but experts like the local biologist and parks director stress-keeping dogs leashed since there's no real cure and it jumps from goats to dogs to people.

1:03Parks and Rec already posted warning signs at flume and Mount Roberts Trailheads with more going up this week at Perseverance, Sheep Creek and West. Peak. Fish and Game once reports of sick animals via their hotline in 907-328-8354 email at dfg.wc.wc at Alaska.gov or their web form. They alert out there on those trails, leash up your pups and report what you see to keep this from spreading further.