The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reporting a second case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a 2 year-old doe harvested by a hunter in southwest Saginaw. CWD is not common among deer in Michigan, but the DNR is encouraging hunters to get deer tested through the organization’s various check stations which can be found on their website. CWD is a fatal disease that affects deer, elk, and moose.
DNR deer and elk specialist Chad Stewart said when conservation officers “find CWD a few townships over from a prior detection in the same county, it becomes increasingly important to discover if and where additional cases might be within that area.” Stewart also said, “In light of this, they are asking hunters in southeastern Gratiot and southwestern Saginaw counties, especially, to have their deer tested this year.” The Department of Natural Resources encourages hunters to assist in disease surveillance. Stewart said some of the easiest ways hunters can help address CWD are to keep hunting throughout the remaining deer seasons, dispose of leftover parts in the trash and, if possible, take additional does in the Lower Peninsula’s CWD areas. To date, there have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that infected animals not be eaten by humans or animals.
Reporting for WGRT – EBWtv.
