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DNR: Chronic wasting disease detected in Clay County deer; testing and feeding restrictions likely
Summary
A Minnesota DNR wildlife supervisor informed Clay County commissioners that chronic wasting disease (CWD) was confirmed in a deer in the county; the agency plans expanded testing and may ask the county to enact a deer-feeding prohibition.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources told Clay County commissioners on Jan. 28 that chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been confirmed in a deer taken within Clay County, and that expanded testing and potential local measures are expected.
Rob Baden, area wildlife supervisor based in Detroit Lakes, told the board the DNR released a news statement noting a positive deer sample discovered near the state park area. “It's the first case we've had in Clay County to this point,” Baden said. He described the finding as near a high deer-density area and said the DNR will expand testing during next year’s firearms season to assess prevalence.
Baden said sharp-shooting programs are not planned at this time and emphasized the limits of control: “We haven't proven very effective at getting rid of this disease. We've proven effective at delaying how far, how fast it spreads.” He told commissioners the department is likely to recommend a county-level feeding prohibition to reduce nose-to-nose contact that can spread the disease: “Try and do a bunch of testing… The unfortunate part is it's probably in the highest deer density area we have.”
On human health risks, Baden repeated the DNR and CDC guidance: there have been no confirmed cases of CWD transmission from deer to humans, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against consuming venison that tests positive. Baden said lab turnaround is typically “as little as a week to 10 days” when samples are sent promptly, but cautioned that delays sometimes occur when partners (for example, taxidermists) retain samples before sending them to the lab.
Commissioners asked practical questions about signs of infection, sampling requirements and possible harvest-limit changes. Baden described advanced-stage infected deer as appearing emaciated and drooling and urged residents to report deer exhibiting those signs: “If they start seeing deer like that, by all means give us a call.” He said coyotes and other predators often remove sick deer before those extreme signs appear. The DNR will also consider harvest-limit adjustments to increase hunter pressure in the area and public outreach, including providing mailing kits to the public for voluntary testing.
The DNR’s field contact for this update was Rob Baden, area wildlife supervisor, Detroit Lakes.
