Nebraska Game and Parks say chronic wasting disease testing in central and north-central Nebraska during the November firearm deer season detected 31 positive cases in deer, including the first cases ever in Rock, Blaine and Thomas counties.
Check stations in the Sandhills, Keya Paha, Calamus East, Calamus West and Loup West Deer Management Units collected 603 samples from harvested deer.
CWD is a fatal disease that attacks the brain of infected deer, elk and moose. Testing for it began in Nebraska in 1997 with the first confirmed case coming 3 years later in Kimball County.
Testing has continued, but now with samples taken in 5-to-7 management units each year in one area of the state. More than 57,000 deer and 400 elk have been tested over the years with just 1,288 positive cases – all but 19 in deer.
CWD has been detected in free-ranging deer and elk in 57 counties, but no population declines have been attributed to the disease.
There is still no strong evidence CWD poses a risk for humans; but public health officials recommend that people remain cautious in how they handle, process and consume deer that have shown signs of CWD.
Animals in the late stages are often emaciated, show erratic behavior, and exhibit neurological irregularities, but because CWD develops so slowly, infected deer may not show symptoms.
Hunters and commercial processors should avoid butchering or processing deer suspected of or confirmed to have CWD
The infectious proteins that transmit the disease can remain viable for months or even years in the soil, so hunters should field dress animals at the place of kill to avoid spreading it.