2-15-24, LDWF: 19 cases of CWD confirmed in deer in northeastern Louisiana

quote:

---

State officials have confirmed seven additional cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD), with a total of 19 cases all in Tensas Parish. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim Lacour says the first case was discovered two years ago.

“It is a very slow insidious disease, so it takes a long time to get it’s footing into the herd and that’s exactly what we’re seeing at this point.”

CWD is a neurodegenerative disease caused by an infectious, misfolded protein particle, and it is 100 percent fatal to deer after an indeterminate incubation period. The first confirmed case of CWD was detected in 2022.

Lacour says a feeding an baiting ban has been implemented in Tensas, Madison, Concordia, and Franklin Parishes. He says hunters are prohibited from bringing out a deer or deer head with the brain in it but.

“If you’re going to bring a deer out of that area, it can be deboned, cut and wrapped, watered with the spine and no nervous tissue. You can bring out the skull cap and antlers. You can bring out the cape.”

LDWF has set up 13 free CWD collection sites throughout the region including Catahoula, Concordia, Franklin, Madison, Morehouse, Tensas, and Union Parishes.

And while CWD has not been found to be contagious to humans, CDC recommends not to consume a deer known to be positive. LaCour says LDWF provides free testing for hunters across the state.

“If you know a deer has chronic wasting disease, you should not eat it. If you’re hunting in an area where chronic wasting disease has been found, or known to be found, you should have your deer tested before consuming it.”

---