The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Department of Agriculture have confirmed two cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Luzerne County, marking a new area of infection for the fatal neurological disease. One deer was harvested by a hunter, while the other was found at a captive breeding facility.
The captive deer’s infection was identified on December 16 through testing and later confirmed by the USDA. The breeding facility has been placed under a five-year quarantine, requiring all additional deer deaths to be tested for CWD and prohibiting transfers of deer on or off the property.
CWD is caused by misfolded proteins called prions that spread through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Feeding deer in designated Disease Management Areas (DMAs) is discouraged due to transmission risks.
While there’s no evidence of humans contracting CWD naturally, the CDC recommends avoiding meat from infected animals. The Department of Agriculture enforces strict monitoring and testing programs for Pennsylvania deer farms.
Changes to DMAs are expected to be finalized following a Board of Commissioners meeting in April. An informational meeting on February 27 will address public questions about CWD. Residents can contact the CWD Hotline or email for more information on managing the disease and protecting deer populations.
Source: https://www.mychesco.com/a/news/pennsylvania/deadly-disease-hits-pennsylvania-deer-what-you-need-to-know-to-stay-safe-and-protect-wildlife