Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Whitetail With CWD Confirmed at Wisconsin Game Farm

MADISON – A whitetail deer from a breeding farm in Eau Claire County has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), Wisconsin State Veterinarian Dr. Paul McGraw announced. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, confirmed the test results.

The 7-year-old Eau Claire County doe, which died on the farm, was one of about 167 deer reported to be on the 12 acre farm, according to the farm's March 2015 registration.

Samples were taken from the doe on June 8 in accordance with Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's (DATCP's) rules, which require testing of farm-raised deer and elk when they die or are killed.

McGraw quarantined the Eau Claire County herd, which stops movement of live deer from the property, except to slaughter. Disposition of the remaining deer will depend upon the outcome of the investigation. The DATCP Animal Health Division's investigation will also examine the animal's history and trace movements of deer onto and off the property to determine whether other herds may have been exposed to the CWD test-positive deer.