New CWD infection found in Beltrami County

A new chronic wasting disease (CWD) infection has been confirmed in northern Minnesota.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) said a 3-year-old white-tailed doe at a Beltrami County farm has been confirmed positive for CWD. It comes after a 77-head herd was quarantined in October as part of a BAH investigation into a Houston County detection.

BAH said the owner of the Beltrami County herd bought 11 animals from the Winona County herd also identified in the investigation, and the animals were considered CWD-exposed.

"This detection is disheartening," BAH Assistant Director Dr. Linda Glaser said. "Our investigation and tracing led us to find this positive animal. However, CWD continues to negatively impact Minnesota farmed cervid producers, and the tools we have to control this disease are so limited. The Board will work with the USDA to get this herd depopulated to stop any spread of disease from the herd."

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will conduct precautionary surveillance in the area around the Beltrami County farm to determine if nearby wild deer are infected with CWD. The surveillance is expected to last at least three years, starting this fall.

Anyone who sees sick deer in the area is asked to report it to officials by calling 218-732-8452.