Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in a Captive Deer in Region 6 of New York
WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has confirmed a single case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Region 6. This region encompasses the area from the eastern shore of Lake Ontario to the Western Adirondacks.
CWD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. While the threat to public health is considered low, the NYSDEC is taking this discovery very seriously and will be closely monitoring both wild and farmed deer populations in the region.
Low Human Risk, High Impact on Wildlife
“We’re taking this very seriously. There’s a huge risk for Chronic Wasting Disease for New York. We have been actively working with hunters across the state to prevent Chronic Wasting Disease from getting into New York, so the presence of the disease here is a strong blow to us,” said Jeremy Hurst, Game Management Section Head for the NYSDEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Importantly, the infected deer was a captive animal, not a wild deer. The NYSDEC has chosen not to disclose the exact location of the infected captive deer.
Ongoing Monitoring and Prevention
The NYSDEC emphasizes the importance of continued vigilance and information sharing. Hunters and anyone interacting with deer are urged to report any unusual behavior or signs of disease in animals to the NYSDEC.
Learn more about Chronic Wasting Disease and how you can help prevent its spread at the NYSDEC website.