CWD Case Found in a White-tailed Deer in Catahoula Parish

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reporting a confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a hunter-harvested white-tailed buck in Catahoula Parish.  This is the first CWD confirmed positive in a wild deer outside of Tensas Parish.  CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022.  The latest positive brings the total number of CWD detections for Louisiana to 34.

The confirmation was made for the sample submitted by LDWF staff from a hunter-harvested adult buck taken on private land in Catahoula Parish. Initial testing by the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LADDL) indicated a possible positive diagnosis. LADDL sent the sample to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa for confirmatory testing where it was confirmed to be positive. 

LDWF is currently working to implement the LDWF CWD response plan. More information regarding the response plan for this area will be forthcoming.

LDWF Acting Secretary Tyler Bosworth stated, “We will continue to count on our hunters, property owners, deer processors, and taxidermists for their assistance in monitoring CWD as their continued partnership with our department will help to control the spread of CWD in the state and keep our deer population healthy.” 

CWD is a neurodegenerative disease of white-tailed deer and other members of the family Cervidae. It is caused by a prion, an infectious, misfolded protein particle, and is 100-percent fatal in affected deer after an indeterminate incubation period. There is no treatment or preventative vaccine for CWD. CWD-infected deer may exhibit signs of weight loss and emaciation, salivation, frequent drinking and urination, incoordination, circling, lack of fear of people, and always results in the death of the animal.

Although CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend against the human consumption of deer known to be infected with CWD. Also, it is recommended that people hunting in areas known to harbor CWD-infected deer have their deer tested for the disease prior to consuming the animals. LDWF will provide testing for hunter-harvested deer free of charge.

For more information on CWD, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd.

Questions can be addressed to Dr. Johnathan Roberts at Jroberts@wlf.la.gov.