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Deadly Chronic Wasting Disease found in Upstate NY wild deer, first since 2005
Syracuse.com • • health
Key Points:
- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) confirmed a positive case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a wild deer in Sparta, Livingston County, marking the first wild deer case in the state since 2005.
- A containment area has been established covering six towns, where hunters must submit tissue samples from harvested deer and follow new regulations restricting deer transport to control the disease spread.
- DEC will operate collection stations starting November 12 for sample submission and is collaborating with local processors and taxidermists to monitor and manage the outbreak.
- New regulations prohibit moving high-risk deer parts, possession of vehicle-killed deer, and use of deer urine from the containment area, alongside restrictions on captive deer handling and rehabilitation efforts.
- DEC will hold a virtual informational session on November 17 to update stakeholders and the public on CWD management, emphasizing that while CWD is fatal to deer, there is no evidence it affects humans or most domestic animals.
