Local counties prepare for CWD ahead of November hunting season

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- As deer season approaches, hunters should be aware of a rare but crucial disease that affects members of the deer family.

Chronic waste disease, often referred to as CWD, is a fatal, contagious neurological illness that affects deer, elk, moose and caribou. It is spread between deer primarily through direct physical contact and the sharing of bodily fluids like saliva, urine and blood. It can also contaminate the surrounding soil and plants, allowing the disease to infect new deer years after an infected animal has left the area.

Aaron Hildreth with the Missouri Department of Conservation says that despite looking healthy, some deer may be infected.

“It can take anywhere from a year and a half to two years from when a deer becomes infected to where it outwardly looks sick, but it is sick that entire time, and it’s still spreading the prion or the protein that causes this disease,” Hildreth said.

Although CWD is rare in Missouri, 55 of the state’s 114 counties have detected the disease.

Mandatory testing will be held for the first time in Buchanan, Holt, Andrew, Atchison and Nodaway counties on Nov. 14 and 15.

Here are ways hunters can help:

• Hunt more and follow regulations.
• Get your deer tested for free.
• Report sick deer to protect wildlife health.
• Stay informed using the CWD Interactive Hub for sampling sites and results.
• Sign up for MDC email updates to keep up with conservation news in Missouri.

To learn more about Chronic waste disease, click here.