The Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources has confirmed a second case of chronic wasting disease, this time in southwest Indiana. The case was in a wild male whitetail deer in Posey County.
The disease is incurable. It attacks the deer’s nervous system, similar to mad cow disease. It can spread through animal-to-animal transmission, as well as through contaminated soil, food or water.
The first case was confirmed last April in LaGrange County in northeast Indiana. The disease has been found in wild deer in 36 states, and in all states bordering Indiana.
A map of locations the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources is surveilling deer for chronic wasting disease. (Indiana DNR)
Joe Caudell, deer biologist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, said that increased surveillance can determine if an area is affected.
“Even though we found the deer in Posey County, we want to go to Vanderburgh and Gibson as well, because that may have been where that deer had come from. By looking in these other areas, you might find a hot spot of [positive] deer,” he said.
The DNR will increase surveillance efforts in affected areas during hunting season, which runs from mid-September through January. If a hot spot is detected, the state can enact an 18-month management zone, which would allow for efforts such as sharpshooting to remove infected populations.
Live deer cannot be tested for CWD. Caudell said the most effective way to track sick wildlife is through public reporting.
“We don't have a lot of staff all around the state who can keep eyes out for sick deer and those sorts of things,” he said. “The public and hunters reporting…expands our reach and really helps us identify what's going on out there.”
Signs of CWD infection include excessive salivation, thirst, or urination; emaciation; lack of coordination; drooping posture; and lack of fear of humans.
No evidence indicates that the disease can be transmitted to humans.
The CDC recommends hunters take the following steps when hunting in affected areas:
Do not shoot, handle or eat meat from deer that look sick, act strangely or are found dead. The Indiana DNR requests hunters report any sick or dead wildlife they find.
Wear latex or rubber gloves when dressing the animal or handling the meat.Minimize handling the organs, particularly the brain or spinal cord tissues. Do not use household knives or other kitchen utensils.
Consider having the deer tested before eating the meat.Hunters can voluntarily have their deer tested for free by depositing the harvested heads at a collection site. Samples can also be tested at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University for a fee. Caudell said testing typically takes 2-3 weeks.
If you have your deer commercially processed, consider asking that it be processed individually to avoid mixing meat from multiple animals.
If your animal tests positive, do not eat its meat.
