LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) \u2014 The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed Wednesday that cases of chronic wasting disease have been found in farmed white-tailed deer in three separate counties.<\/p>\n
A\u00a02-and-a-half-year-old deer discovered\u00a0in Calhoun\u00a0County, a 4-year-old deer found in Kent County and a 3-year-old deer detected in Mackinac County were all found to be infected with CWD.<\/p>\n
The department says the Kent and Mackinac counties deer were found through the state’s CWD surveillance program for farmed deer and the third was found as part of trace investigations from the Calhoun County herd.<\/p>\n
“These detections highlight why it is so vital to perform regular surveillance testing. Early detection allows for a prompt response, which helps limit the exposure of additional animals to this disease,” said\u00a0State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland in a news release.<\/p>\n
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, elk and moose. According to the\u00a0U.S.<\/a>\u00a0<\/a>Centers for Disease Control<\/a>, CWD is a prion disease. When a deer is infected, prion proteins can misfold, leading to serious symptoms including stumbling, confusion, weight loss, wistlessness, lack of fear around humans, drooling, excessive urination or thirst, drooping ears and lack of coordination.<\/p>\n There have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people. As a precaution, the CDC recommends against the consumption of infected meat by people and domestic animals.<\/p>\n Hunters should take precautions when field-dressing or processing deer: wear rubber gloves, minimize contact with the deer’s brain and spinal tissue, and wash hands with soap and warm water after handling any parts of the carcass.<\/p>\n Deer carcasses and parts should be taken directly to a landfill or disposed of through regular bagged trash pickup.<\/p>\n If you believe a deer may be positive for CWD, you can report it online on the\u00a0Department of Natural Resources website<\/a>.<\/p>\n