Florida deer tests positive for chronic wasting disease
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed that a road-killed 4.5-year-old female white-tailed deer in Holmes County sampled during routine surveillance activities has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). This is the first known case of CWD in Florida, a contagious disease of the brain and central nervous system that is fatal to deer. The first case of CWD in North America was discovered in mule deer in Colorado in 1967. Mississippi and Lauderdale County in Northwest Alabama were already CWD positive. Florida is the most recent of 31 states to detect the disease. It has also been confirmed in four Canadian provinces, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and South Korea. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced on Thursday that this state will be increasing chronic wasting disease (CWD) sampling surveillance efforts in southeast Alabama after the Florida announcement. ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division will deploy additional self-service, drop-off CWD sampling freezer locations throughout southeast Alabama and increase CWD surveillance efforts, as outlined in Alabama’s CWD Surveillance and Response Plan. “With the continued support of Governor [Ron] DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, and hunters across the state, we have taken significant steps to prevent the spread of CWD,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “Working with FDACS and our other partners, I’m hopeful that our combined efforts will limit the effects this will have on Florida’s deer population and preserve our exceptional hunting opportunities for future generations statewide.” “We take very seriously our responsibility to prevent, detect, and respond to animal health issues in Florida – all to safeguard our agriculture industry and our world-renowned wildlife and natural resources,” said FDACS Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “Ensuring the health of Florida’s deer population is a team effort, and we will continue to work diligently with our state and federal partners to respond.” Among deer, CWD is a progressive, fatal disease that commonly results in altered behavior due to microscopic changes in the brain of affected animals. An animal may carry the disease for years without outward indication. In later stages of the disease, it is a wasting disease where the animal’s weight drops. Symptoms include listlessness, lowering of the head, weight loss, repetitive walking in set patterns, and a lack of responsiveness. CWD is similar to Mad Cow Disease in cattle and scrapie in deer. It is caused by the ingestion of prions that build up in the brain over the animal’s life rather than from some sort of living infectious disease vector like a bacteria, protozoa, worm, or virus. There is no scientific evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans or livestock under natural conditions. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend consuming meat from animals that test positive for CWD or from any sick animal. For more information about CWD sampling and a map of self-service, drop-off CWD sampling locations statewide, visit the Outdoor Alabama website. During deer season, hunters throughout the state are encouraged to provide deer heads for CWD sampling. The public is also encouraged to report roadkill deer and deer displaying unusual behavior to their local WFF District Office. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Barry Moore warns Congress of Chronic Wasting Disease threat, cosponsors CWD legislation
Today, Rep. Barry Moore spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives to warn of the threat Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) poses to deer populations in Alabama. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced it recently found Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a hunter-harvested deer in northwestern Alabama. This is the first case of CWD detected in Alabama’s deer herd and the first time it has been detected in a state that borders Florida. Moore is a co-sponsor of H.R. 5608, the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which passed the House of Representatives last month. According to Congress.gov, the bill “directs USDA to establish a program to research and manage the disease. Under the program, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with state or tribal wildlife agencies and departments of agriculture, institutions of higher education, and research centers to support research on the transmission of, resistance to, and diagnosis of the disease. In addition, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with such agencies and departments to support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies that address the disease.” Moore stated on the House floor, “Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss an important issue in Alabama and across the nation. Chronic Wasting Disease is a neurological disease that affects deer, moose, and elk and is 100 percent fatal. Unfortunately, there is no known cure. CWD could absolutely devastate deer hunting in Alabama and the revenue it brings in each year.” “I am proud to co-sponsor H.R. 5608, the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which passed the House of Representatives last month. This bill will help research and prevent Chronic Wasting Disease from spreading further, protecting Alabama’s deer herds, outdoor economy, and traditions. “Last week, the first case of Chronic Wasting Disease was reported in Alabama. While it is currently only one case, it is important that we do what we can to prevent this terrible disease from spreading even further. I’m hopeful the Senate will answer the call and take up this legislation so important to Alabama and our nation. “I’ll do whatever I can in Washington to help prevent Chronic Wasting Disease from taking hold in Alabama. And with that, I yield back,” Moore concluded. Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), stated, “CWD was first detected in Tennessee and Mississippi in 2018 and has been moving slowly toward Alabama. The Department has implemented multiple proactive regulations to combat the spread into Alabama. Compliance from the public on those measures helped delay the spread into the state for several years.”
State officials warn of deer found with Chronic Wasting Disease in NW Alabama
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced it recently found Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a hunter harvested deer in northwestern Alabama. This is the first case of CWD detected in Alabama’s deer herd and the first time it has been detected in a state that borders Florida. According to the report, CWD is a brain and central nervous disease that is always fatal to deer; it has not been detected in Florida. The disease causes altered behavior due to microscopic changes made to the brain of affected animals. An animal may carry the disease for years without outward indication. The FWC is asking for people who plan to hunt deer, elk, moose, caribou, or other members of the deer family outside of Florida to be vigilant in helping reduce the risk of CWD spreading into Florida. Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), stated, “CWD was first detected in Tennessee and Mississippi in 2018 and has been moving slowly toward Alabama. The Department has implemented multiple proactive regulations to combat the spread into Alabama. Compliance from the public on those measures helped delay the spread into the state for several years.” Additionally, Blankenship encouraged hunters to be aware of the zones they are hunting in so that the disease isn’t spread further. Transporting deer carcasses out of the management zone can potentially spread CWD to currently unaffected areas. There are new rules that took effect July 2021 that prohibit importing or possessing whole carcasses or high-risk parts of all species of the deer family originating from any place outside of Florida. Under the new rules people may only import into Florida: De-boned meat Finished taxidermy mounts Clean hides and antlers Skulls, skull caps, and teeth if all soft tissue has been removed The only exception to this rule is deer harvested from a property in Georgia or Alabama that is bisected by the Florida state line AND under the same ownership may be imported into Florida. Chuck Sykes, Director of ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, stated, “The new regulation is intended to increase the opportunities for hunters to supply samples for CWD testing. We need hunters to continue to hunt and submit deer heads for testing. These additional samples will help us better determine the extent of the disease in this area.”
