The first positive case of Chronic Wasting Disease in the United States was discovered at a high fence release site in Kaufman County. Following surveillance zone requirements, the white-tailed buck was harvested at a high-fence release site in a CWD Surveillance Zone and delivered to a Hunt County CWD check station.
Close Monitoring and Prevention
Before the deer tested positive for CWD, it was transferred to the surveillance zone from the Hunt County CWD-positive deer breeding facility on March 31, 2021. There are plans to conduct additional CWD investigations.
Animal health and wildlife officials will collaborate on additional investigations, strict surveillance, and rapid response to help prevent the spread of the disease. They will also investigate the impact of the conditions on the property and the potential risks to Texas’ CWD-susceptible species, a source posted.
Testing for CWD allows wildlife biologists and animal health officials to better understand the disease’s spread and prevalence across Texas. In addition, prevention improves the state’s response time to a CWD detection and can significantly reduce the risk of the infection outbreak to neighboring captive and wild populations.
Hunters are Warned
Although no human cases of CWD have been reported, non-human primates such as monkeys are at risk. For example, they can contract the disease if they consume CWD-infected meat or come into contact with infected deer or elk’s brain or body fluids.
Hunters are warned about CWD, and as hunting season begins, hunters are advised to drop off their animal heads for CWD testing, which is simple and free. Test heads will be accepted until January 21, 2023.
Environment Minister Dana Skoropad stated that hunters must submit their heads for testing, particularly in wildlife management zones. The results of the tests can assist them in monitoring the spread of the diseases.
The meat should be thrown away in an authorized landfill if the animal tests positive. In limited amounts, meat may be double-bagged and disposed of with household garbage.
