Chronic Wasting Disease Updates and Information
Posted: November 26, 2012
Commercial deer farms are inspected and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA). PDA conducted a “trace back” to trace where deer associated with the infected deer are within the state. As a result of these traces backs, there are currently 27 farms that are quarantined in counties throughout the state.
CWD Disease Management Area
Chronic wasting disease has not been found in wild whitetail deer anywhere in the state. However, as a precaution and in order to detect it if it is present in wild whitetails, The Pennsylvania Game Commission has established a Disease Management Area (DMA) in portions of York and Adams Counties where a number of restrictions are in place. In addition, all deer harvested within the DMA must be tested for CWD. PGC will pay for all testing and all hunters are encouraged to comply with this requirement.
Restrictions in DMA
o No movement of high-risk parts from cervids outside of the DMA
o No use or possession of any cervid urine-based attractants within the DMA
- No rehabilitation of deer within the DMA
- No feeding of cervids within the DMA
- No transport of live cervids from menageries into or out of DMA
- All hunter harvested deer must be tested for CWD
To Learn More
There is lots of information available on CWD. Both the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture are updating their CWD information on a regular basis. Check both websites and click on the chronic Wasting Disease links. Additional information is available from the Chronic Wasting disease Alliance Website http://www.cwd-info.org/ .
