<a href="https://time.news/hunters-die-from-zombie-deer-disease/” title=”Hunters die from "zombie deer" disease”>Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in New York‘s Region 6
WATERTOWN, New York – The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has confirmed a case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk, and moose.
The disease was detected “in a facility in DEC’s Region 6 area,” according to a press release issued by the DEC on Sunday afternoon.
Region 6 encompasses Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties in the northern part of the state, as well as Herkimer and Oneida counties.
The infected sample was collected during routine testing conducted by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. The press release notes that “there is no evidence that CWD is present in wild deer at this time.”
While there is no strong evidence that CWD can infect humans, the DEC advises that “people should not consume meat from infected animals.”
The state plans to enhance its sampling and monitoring of wild deer and is soliciting assistance from hunters and the public. They are encouraged to report any sick or dying deer, including roadkill, in the Region 6 area to DEC for potential collection and testing by contacting DEC’s Region 6 Wildlife Office at 315-785-2263 or via email at [email protected].
CWD poses a significant threat to deer populations, though it has spread slowly in New York. The DEC first detected cases in both wild and captive deer in 2005, but until this recent announcement, no additional cases had been identified in nearly 20 years, despite over 65,000 wild deer being tested.
The DEC provided several recommendations for minimizing the risk of CWD:
- If hunting any type of deer, elk, moose, or caribou outside of New York, debone the harvest before bringing it back to the state. DEC will confiscate and destroy illegally imported carcasses and parts.
- Avoid deer urine-based lures or attractant scents, as these could contain infectious material. If using lures, opt for synthetic options.
- Dispose of carcass waste in a landfill rather than leaving it in the landscape.
- Contact the nearest DEC regional wildlife office or Environmental Conservation Police Officer to report a deer that appears sick, unusually thin, or behaves abnormally.
- Hunt only wild deer and adhere to fair chase hunting principles.
- Do not consume game that appears sick or diseased.