Deer with chronic wasting disease found in south metro and southeast of state

Two deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease in Minnesota.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, a wild deer harvested in Dakota County on Nov. 7 and a deer killed by a vehicle in Olmsted County on Nov. 4 have tested positive for the disease.

Wildlife experts update state lawmakers on efforts to track CWD in deer populations

With the two additional positives, 95 deer total have now tested positive for CWD in Minnesota.

The Dakota County deer marks the first time that the fatal neurological disease was found in a hunter-harvested wild deer in the south metro disease management zone.

The DNR notified the hunter and resident who submitted the deer for sampling of the positive test results, and the meat and carcasses from both deer have been properly disposed of.

“It’s concerning to see these two positive test results. We will continue gathering data to see how prevalent the disease is in these areas, and maintain our aggressive management response,” Michelle Carstensen, the DNR’s wildlife health program supervisor, said.

The DNR also continues to urge hunters and other Minnesotans to voluntarily provide samplings for CWD testing.

“We’re grateful to hunters and other Minnesotans for providing samples to test for this disease and help safeguard the health of our wild deer population,” Carstensen said. “These two positive test results are unfortunate, but highlight the importance of our sampling efforts in getting information that shows us how prevalent the disease is in an area. We urge hunters to continue bringing deer to sampling stations. Every sample counts.”

DNR asks deer hunters to submit samples in CWD areas

More information about CWD can be found at the link here.