The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) confirms the first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) outside of Tensas Parish, after a harvested deer in Catahoula Parish tests positive. This alarming development leads LDWF to implement emergency measures, including a 25-mile expansion of the CWD control area starting May 1, which will impact parts of neighboring parishes and prohibit deer baiting and supplemental feeding.
CWD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting deer, and although not shown to be contagious to humans, health authorities advise against consuming infected animals. With 40 confirmed CWD cases statewide since its initial detection in 2022, this discovery serves as a stark reminder for hunters to test their game for the disease. LDWF promises free testing for deer harvested in CWD-affected areas, emphasizing the importance of monitoring wildlife health.
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