The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and Environmental Conservation (DEC), in coordination with the State Department of Health (DOH), announced a confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on October 27 in a facility in DEC’s Region 6 area. Region 6 includes Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Herkimer, and Oneida counties.
Transmissible CWD affects the brains and central nervous systems of certain deer, elk, and moose. At this time, the threat to public health is low, the state Department of Health said. Although CWD is not known to infect humans, people should not eat meat from infected animals.
The case was confirmed through testing by the US Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories. The sample was collected as part of routine surveillance by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.
State and federal agencies are continuing to investigate the case and taking actions to prevent the potential spread of CWD in New York State. There is no evidence that CWD is present in wild deer at this time, but the state Department of Environmental Conservation will increase surveillance in wild deer in the area, working with local hunters, processors, and taxidermists.
The state says CWD is always fatal to deer and can spread rapidly if introduced to wild populations. Once established, it is nearly impossible to eliminate. Hunters can help protect New York’s deer herd from CWD by following these tips:
– If hunting any type of deer, elk, moose, or caribou outside of New York, debone the harvest before bringing it back to the state;
– Avoid deer urine-based lures or attractant scents, as these could contain infectious material. Use synthetic lures, dispose of carcasses in a landfill, report sick or abnormally behaving deer to the DEC, hunt only wild deer, and avoid consuming sick or diseased game.
The state encourages hunters and the public to report any sick or dying deer, including roadkill deer, in the area to the DEC’s Region 6 Wildlife Office at 315-785-2263 or email at Information.R6@dec.ny.gov.
Image: Deer with Chronic Wasting Disease (Credit: USGS.gov)