Michigan's First Confirmed Case of Chronic Wasting Disease in Free-Range Deer
Summer 2015
On May 26, the DNR and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) confirmed that a free-ranging deer in Ingham County’’s Meridian Township tested positive for the dreaded chronic wasting disease (CWD). The fatal neurological disease affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. The disease had previously shown up only in 2008 in a captive deer from a privately owned facility in Kent County.
The confirmation came after a homeowner contacted the Merdian Township Police about a deer in the Lansing-area Townshiip. DNR Director Keith Creagh stated, "While it is a disappointing day for Michigan, the good news is that we are armed with a thoughtfully crafted response plan. We are working with other wildlife experts at the local, regional, state, and federal level, using every available resource, to determine the extent of this disease, respond appropriately to limit further transmission, and ultimately eradicate the disease in Michigan if possible."
That plan includes completing a population survey, establishing a Core CWD area in nine townships within three counties, creating a three-county CWD Management Zone, banning deer feeding and baiting, and prohibiting possession or salvage of any deer killed by autos. MDAR will work with private-owned deer and elk facilities for testing captive animals. The most direct measure to control the disease is establishment of the Core CWD Area where unlimited antlerless deer hunting licenses will be available.
Ironically, Meridian Township has been working for years to lower its deer numbers through controlled hunts. The program was prompted by widespread landscape damage from deer browsing and numerous deer-car collisions. The Core CWD area will include the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy’s 259acre Bengel Wildlife Center where deer are hunted annually.
First detected in 1967 in a captive mule deer in Colorado, the disease has gradually spread to some Midwestern and eastern states. To date, CWD has been confirmed in 23 states and two Canadian provinces. Infectious, self-multiplying proteins call prions are transmitted from saliva and other body fluids. Soil can remain a source of infection for long periods. Feeding high numbers of deer increases transmission; thus population control is a necessary (and controversial) response if outbreaks occur.
On May 26, the DNR and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) confirmed that a free-ranging deer in Ingham County’’s Meridian Township tested positive for the dreaded chronic wasting disease (CWD). The fatal neurological disease affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. The disease had previously shown up only in 2008 in a captive deer from a privately owned facility in Kent County.
The confirmation came after a homeowner contacted the Merdian Township Police about a deer in the Lansing-area Townshiip. DNR Director Keith Creagh stated, "While it is a disappointing day for Michigan, the good news is that we are armed with a thoughtfully crafted response plan. We are working with other wildlife experts at the local, regional, state, and federal level, using every available resource, to determine the extent of this disease, respond appropriately to limit further transmission, and ultimately eradicate the disease in Michigan if possible."
That plan includes completing a population survey, establishing a Core CWD area in nine townships within three counties, creating a three-county CWD Management Zone, banning deer feeding and baiting, and prohibiting possession or salvage of any deer killed by autos. MDAR will work with private-owned deer and elk facilities for testing captive animals. The most direct measure to control the disease is establishment of the Core CWD Area where unlimited antlerless deer hunting licenses will be available.
Ironically, Meridian Township has been working for years to lower its deer numbers through controlled hunts. The program was prompted by widespread landscape damage from deer browsing and numerous deer-car collisions. The Core CWD area will include the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy’s 259acre Bengel Wildlife Center where deer are hunted annually.
First detected in 1967 in a captive mule deer in Colorado, the disease has gradually spread to some Midwestern and eastern states. To date, CWD has been confirmed in 23 states and two Canadian provinces. Infectious, self-multiplying proteins call prions are transmitted from saliva and other body fluids. Soil can remain a source of infection for long periods. Feeding high numbers of deer increases transmission; thus population control is a necessary (and controversial) response if outbreaks occur.