Captive Deer Test Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease in Missouri
OutdoorHub Reporters 03.08.12
Two more deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) at a captive wildlife facility in Macon County, Missouri. Deer first tested positive for CWD at the facility in October 2011. As required, the facility killed off the two infected deer and continue to test remaining animals that have not been tested.
This news comes at a time when Mississippi and other states are considering legalizing captive deer breeding farms, a practice which some critics say enables the spread of diseases like CWD.
The same wildlife facility in Macon County owns a captive hunting preserve in a nearby county, according to a report by the San Antonio Express News. A deer also tested positive for CWD there in February 2010.
Original press release issued by Missouri Department of Agriculture on March 7th, 2012
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has received two additional positive test results for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer harvested at a captive wildlife facility in Macon County. Depopulation is continuing at the facility, operated by Heartland Wildlife Ranches, LLC, with approximately 320 animals harvested and tested since the facility’s first positive result was found in October 2011.
MDA has received negative test results for approximately 280 animals, with results pending from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory for the roughly 40 remaining samples. The current harvest and testing protocol requires the facility to remain under its current quarantine until all animals have been harvested and tested for CWD, which is a neurological disease found in deer, elk and moose. There is no evidence CWD can be transmitted to humans or non-cervid animals, such as livestock and household pets.
For more information on CWD visit the Department online at http://www.mda.mo.gov.
