Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been detected in four more Illinois counties, including Putnam and Marshall. This neurological condition is always fatal to white-tailed deer and affects their long-term health.
First reported in 2002 near Roscoe, CWD has now spread to 25 counties across northern Illinois, reaching as far south as Adams County. The new cases were identified in February through routine testing of hunter-harvested deer.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is working to slow the spread of CWD in the state’s free-ranging deer populations. It’s essential to manage CWD to protect the overall health of the deer population.
While CWD has not been linked to humans, it’s recommended that hunters and consumers avoid eating meat from infected deer to prevent potential transmission. The affected counties include La Salle, Bureau, Grundy, Lee, Livingston, and Will.
Source: https://www.starvedrock.media/wlpo/idnr-chronic-wasting-disease-spreads-to-deer-in-marshall-putnam-counties/article_97565a68-e212-4bff-bbd3-31513b6df4d8.html