yrjö jyske / CC
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) confirmed a case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a hunter-harvested white-tailed buck in Catahoula Parish. This is the first confirmed case outside of Tensas Parish since CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022. LDWF Deer Wildlife Manager Jonathan Bordelon says this brings the state’s total CWD detections to 36.
“That animal, while it showed no symptoms of the disease, it was confirmed positive by the National Veterans Service Laboratory.”
Bordelon says CWD is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease affecting deer and other members of the Cervidae family. Although not proven to infect humans, Bordelon advises against consuming infected deer. Emphasizing the importance of cooperation from hunters.
“When hunters hunt in areas where the disease has been found we recommend that testing obviously should be considered. That’s also the guidance of the CDC.”
Bordelon says the surveillance of potentially infected deer and early detection are crucial in controlling the spread of CWD.
”That’s why it’s so important to conduct surveillance because if the disease is out there it’s important to begin mitigating for the disease early, it’s also important to make hunters aware of the potential threat on the landscape.”
LDWF will provide testing for hunter-harvested deer free of charge.
Comments