Efforts to combat the spread of CWD are underway, with close collaboration between national, state, and local partners.
First case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) confirmed in Kentucky.
Hunters are encouraged to donate the heads of legally harvested deer for testing.
The disease was detected in a 2-year-old white-tailed deer harvested from Ballard County.
The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner stated that they have a CWD Response Plan in place.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has confirmed the first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the state. The disease was detected in a 2-year-old white-tailed deer harvested from Ballard County, marking the first documented case of CWD in Kentucky. This fatal neurologic disease affects deer, elk, and other species in the deer family and is spread through direct contact between animals or from plants and soil in a contaminated area.
The discovery of CWD in Kentucky raises concerns about the potential impact on the deer population and the wider ecosystem. Researchers are studying the disease's transmission mechanisms and assessing the extent of its spread to devise effective strategies for containment. Efforts to combat the spread of CWD are underway, with close collaboration between national, state, and local partners.
The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner stated that they have been preparing for this diagnosis and have a CWD Response Plan in place. The plan aims to minimize the disease's impact on the long-term health and sustainability of the deer herd. As part of the ongoing CWD surveillance program, tissue samples were collected from the deer killed during Kentucky's modern gun season.
Hunters are encouraged to donate the heads of legally harvested deer for testing, and individuals are encouraged to report any sightings of sick deer to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. CWD has been detected in 31 states, including Tennessee, indicating the widespread nature of this disease.
