During the 2024 deer hunting season, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department reports that 1.2% of tested deer were found to have chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disorder. Of the 1,456 mule and white-tailed deer sampled, 17 tested positive, including cases from previously unaffected areas in the western part of the state.
Health officials emphasize the importance of testing hunter-harvested deer for CWD before consumption, as the disease can spread through animal contact and persist in the environment. With the rate of positive tests having doubled compared to last year’s 0.5% rate, this rising concern highlights the need for continued surveillance and awareness among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts.
Read full story at www.cidrap.umn.edu
