Chronic Wasting Disease FAQs
What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?
CWD is a neurodegenerative disease found in most deer species, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, red deer, moose, and caribou. It is infectious, always fatal, and has no treatment. It’s part of a group of diseases know as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and is similar to BSE (mad cow disease) in cattle and scrapie in sheep. These diseases cause irreversible damage to brain tissue, which leads to excessive salivation, neurological symptoms, emvaciation, and death of the animal.
Has CWD been found in Louisiana's white-tailed deer population?
CWD has been detected in Louisiana. In addition, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas have detected it. The disease has been documented in 36 states and four Canadian provinces. LDWF has been monitoring and testing for CWD since 2002 and has checked more than 21,000 deer. The state’s first positive was detected in 2022.
Why are attractants (such as corn) banned for CWD management
Attractants like minerals, feed and bait can speed up disease transmission by concentrating deer in an area. Deer come into contact with deer they would otherwise not contact. In addition, the area around the attractant may have an increase concentration of the infectious material. Due to CWD’s ability to be transmitted from the environment to deer, these contaminated environments further add to the risk of transmission. The disease has been shown to persist in the environment. Since the artificial concentration of deer may lead to increased disease transmission, it is a recommended best management practice to avoid concentrating deer through attractants.
To better understand why attractants are banned, view the video below.
What causes CWD and how is it spread?
CWD is caused by prions, which are proteins normally found in the body that have mutated. These prions accumulate in the brain and cause holes to develop in brain tissue. While prions are concentrated in the central nervous system, they can be found within other tissues of the infected animal, including muscle.
CWD is spread through direct deer-to-deer contact or through contact with urine, feces, saliva, and body parts of infected deer or infectious materials in the soil. Prions will bind to soil particles once an infected deer carcass has decomposed. Once in a location, the disease is present indefinitely.
What signs do deer with CWD display?
Prions can be shed within 6 months of infection, but it can take one to two years for CWD to incubate and exhibit outward symptoms in the infected animal. Symptoms include emaciation, lethargy, abnormal behavior, and loss of bodily functions. Other signs include excessive salivation, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, excessive thirst and urination, teeth grinding, and drooping ears.
Can humans contract CWD?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that CWD can infect humans. However, the CDC recommends caution in handling venison in the infected region and that deer be tested for CWD before consuming. CWD-positive deer should not be consumed by people.
How can I report a suspect deer?
You can assist LDWF in disease surveillance by reporting any deer that exhibits CWD symptoms. Report suspect deer by contacting your nearest LDWF office.
What is LDWF’s plan of action where CWD is detected in Louisiana?
Where CWD is discovered in Louisiana, LDWF will create a CWD control area, the size of which will depend on the location and distribution of infected deer as well as the deer density, distribution, and seasonal movements of the local deer population. There will be feeding and baiting restrictions in the control area where the disease is found. There also will be movement restrictions on deer body parts.
Hunters will not be able to bring whole deer out from the control area. They will be restricted to deboned meat, a clean skull cap with antlers, and the cape, which is the skin of the head and shoulders. Any deer harvested within the control area will be tested. LDWF will maintain intensive surveillance in the control area for an indefinite period of time.
How are captive deer pens/deer farms managed?
Captive deer farms in Louisiana are under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF). Pursuant to R.S. 3:3101, the commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry is vested with authority to regulate alternative livestock, including imported exotic deer and antelope, elk, facility-raised white tail deer, and other exotic Cervidae within the state of Louisiana. More information about captive deer farms is available through the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF).
May I trap feral hogs in a CWD Control Area?
Yes, feral hogs may be trapped within a CWD Control Area. The baiting exception for feral hog trapping allows the use of bait not normally ingested by white-tailed deer. Traditional baits such as corn may be utilized if they are adulterated. Examples include mixing corn with blood meal or using soured corn (corn soaked in water for several days). Blood meal can be readily purchased at most big box retailers and local home improvement centers, making it an accessible option for trappers. The strong odor produced by soured corn effectively attracts feral hogs while deterring deer. Both of these methods have proven effective and offer a longer field life compared to other options.
The exception in the baiting regulation is intended to support trapping efforts aimed at controlling feral hogs, while reducing the artificial congregation of deer at trap sites. Precautions taken by hunters can help slow the spread of CWD.