Chronic Wasting Disease in a captive white-tailed deer

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has identified the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease in a captive white-tailed deer in Oneida County. The test confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Lab in Oneida County. All animals in the captive herd will be tested. Samples from 3457 wild white-tailed deer have tested negative for CWD including 40 from the county where positive deer was found. New York has 433 deer farms raising 9600 deer and elk. There are and estimated 1 million white-tailed deer in the wild in New York. Deer hunters are reminded to check laws and regulations in all states where they hunt for the latest on CWD and any changes on transport of deer carcasses, venison, heads and capes.

For more information see www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw or nationally at www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahps/cwd . The CWD alliance has developed a web site http://www.cwd-info.org .