The second case of Chronic Wasting Disease in Mississippi has been confirmed.
After the 1.5-year-old deer was found in Pontotoc earlier this month, an initial test by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife came back positive. A sample was sent to the National Veterinary Service Lab, and they have now confirmed the positive test.
With the confirmation, the department will now create a 25-mile CWD Management Zone surrounding the area where the deer was found. The zone will include Pontotoc and Union counties and all portions of Lee County west of Hwy 45. Inside of the Management Zone, it is unlawful to:
- Supplemental feeding
- Establish new mineral sites or add supplements to existing sites
- Remove certain portions of cervid carcasses from the zone (carcass regulations)
- Trap wild hogs without a permit from MDWFP.
Mississippi’s first-ever case of CWD was confirmed back in February in Issaquena County, and a similar containment effort was enacted.
As the department aims to prevent the spread of the disease, they’re asking hunters to be on the lookout for sick deer. William T. McKinley, the director of the deer program for the MDWFP, stated that you’ll most likely be able to notice certain behavioral issues in a deer that is infected.
“The deer may appear emaciated, it may be walking in circles, it may be unresponsive and unafraid. People may mistake that for it appearing to domesticated. The deer should see you and try to run away. If it doesn’t, that would be considered abnormal and we’d like to know about it,” he said.
They are also asking that you have your deer tested at any of their 20 drop-off locations across the state after they are killed.
Click here to find your nearest test site. – CWD Drop-Off Locations
