Ohio is set to expand its Deer Surveillance Area in response to the growing threat of chronic wasting disease (CWD), which has now been identified in a significant 75 infected deer across multiple counties. This deadly prion disease, first discovered in Ohio in 2020, is challenging to contain due to the wide-ranging nature of deer and the disease’s long latency period, complicating early detection and intervention efforts.
The proposed extension will include additional counties like Delaware, Union, and Crawford, reflecting the urgent need to monitor and manage the spread of CWD. As prions can remain infectious in the environment for years, the expansion is critical not just for wildlife management but also for informing hunters about potential health risks. This initiative is part of a broader regulatory package that will be reviewed by the Ohio Wildlife Council in the coming weeks.
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