Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Louisiana Deer Farm

In a concerning development for wildlife officials and hunters, a deer from a farm in Jeff Davis Parish, Louisiana, has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The diagnosis was confirmed on November 7 by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), in collaboration with the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory. Per state regulations, this has resulted in the quarantine of the farm, which prohibits the movement of live deer or deer products into or out of the facility.

In response to the confirmed case, a surveillance zone with a 25-mile radius has been established around the affected farm by the Office of the State Veterinarian. This measure aims to monitor and prevent the potential spread of the disease to wild deer populations. All deer farms within this zone are currently under a movement restriction until further evaluation by wildlife officials.

Chronic Wasting Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder affecting white-tailed deer, elk, and moose, is caused by prions, which are infectious, misfolded proteins. It is invariably fatal for affected animals, leading to symptoms such as weight loss, excessive salivation, and behavioral abnormalities. The disease poses a grave threat to wildlife, albeit not currently known to affect humans. Nonetheless, health authorities, including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, advise against consuming the meat of infected animals.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is urging hunters in Jefferson Davis Parish to participate in disease surveillance efforts by submitting samples for testing. Hunters are encouraged to provide the heads of harvested deer, complete with 4 to 5 inches of neck, for diagnostic analysis. The LDWF Field Office in Lake Charles is the designated drop-off location for these samples.

Understanding the extent of CWD exposure in the local deer population is deemed critical, as it greatly influences the management strategies required to control the disease’s spread. Since 2002, Louisiana has engaged in statewide surveillance of free-ranging deer, with previous detections of CWD limited to areas such as Tensas Parish and others including Concordia, East Carroll, Madison, and Franklin parishes.

Although CWD is not believed to be transmissible to humans, ongoing vigilance and precautionary measures are recommended, especially in areas known to have cases. CWD has been documented in 34 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces, and other regions including Norway, Finland, Sweden, and South Korea, highlighting its widespread impact on deer populations.