Nov 22, 2023 5:21 PM
DEER LODGE – Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was recently detected in a mule deer buck that was harvested by a hunter in hunting district (HD) 213 west of Deer Lodge. This is the first time CWD has been detected in the HD and in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 2.
The first tests from the sample indicate that the deer is considered “suspect” for CWD, which means it is considered positive for the disease but will undergo one more follow-up test for confirmation, following testing protocol.
CWD is a contagious neurological disease that can infect deer, elk and moose. It is always fatal, and there is no known cure. It was first detected in Montana’s wild herds in 2017. The disease is known to exist in various regions of Montana, with the closest prior detections approximately 100 miles to the southeast of HD 213. To see a map of where CWD has been detected and more details about the disease and management in Montana, visit: fwp.mt.gov/cwd.
Hunters play a significant role in CWD disease management and understanding by providing test samples from harvested animals. Hunters in HD 213 and nearby areas are particularly encouraged to submit samples in the remaining days of the general hunting season. Surveillance will also continue in 2024 to understand more about disease prevalence in this area and other parts of the state.
The general deer and elk hunting season ends this Sunday, Nov. 26. Hunters anywhere in the state can either take CWD samples from harvested animals themselves and fill out an online hunter submission form and mail them to the Wildlife Health Lab in Bozeman; or they can bring the animal (or head) to an FWP regional office or CWD sampling station. Testing is free, and some sampling stations will close at the end of hunting season. Please see the FWP website for sampling station locations and hours: fwp.mt.gov/cwd.
For the final three days of the general hunting season (Nov. 24-26), FWP will also be taking CWD test samples at a temporary sampling station at the intersection of West Milwaukee Avenue and South Old Stage Road in Deer Lodge from 10am-6pm daily.
CWD is not known to infect humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people not eat meat from infected animals and have their harvested animals tested before eating them if they were taken from an area where CWD is known to exist. For more information on CDC recommendations, please visit go.usa.gov/xAcnc.
End of article. Article courtesy of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Full article can be found here, https://fwp.mt.gov/homepage/news/2023/nov/1122-cwd-detected-for-the-first-time-in-hunting-district-213-near-deer-lodge.