Two deer in Luzerne County have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), prompting the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Department of Agriculture to create a new Deer Disease Management Area (DMA). The DMA will be formed due to the 40-mile distance from the nearest wild CWD detection, with boundaries to be announced at the commission’s April board meeting. Special regulations, including a ban on feeding deer and limitations on processing or transporting deer, will apply within the DMA.
A captive deer farm in Luzerne County was quarantined after a positive CWD test in December, with the order requiring the farm to test any additional deceased deer and restrict deer transfers.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease caused by misfolded proteins (prions) that can spread through direct contact or contaminated environments. While there’s no evidence of human infection under natural conditions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend avoiding consumption of CWD-infected deer meat.
The commission has reported 180 positive CWD detections as of February 1, with most in Southcentral Pennsylvania. A public informational meeting will be held on February 27 at Penn State Hazleton to provide more information on the DMA and regulations.
Source: https://eu.goerie.com/story/sports/outdoors/2025/02/02/cwd-luzerne-county-pa-disease-management-area/78122392007