State officials have confirmed an isolated case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a facility within the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Region 6 area. The New York State Departments of Agriculture and Markets (AGM), Environmental Conservation (DEC), and the State Department of Health (DOH) announced the detection, which was discovered during routine agriculture-based surveillance.
The case, confirmed through testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories, has prompted the state to implement its interagency CWD Response Plan. Developed jointly by the DEC and AGM, the plan aims to investigate the detection thoroughly and enhance the surveillance of wild deer in the area to prevent potential spread.
CWD is a fatal disease that affects the brain and central nervous system of deer, elk, and moose. Although there is no current evidence that CWD poses a threat to human health, officials recommend not consuming meat from infected animals. More information on CWD can be found on the DEC and DOH websites.
DEC officials emphasize that, despite this isolated case, there is no indication of CWD in wild deer populations at this time. To ensure this remains the case, the DEC is enhancing its surveillance efforts, working closely with local hunters, processors, and taxidermists in Region 6. The agency also plans to collect roadkill samples to monitor for the presence of the disease. These enhanced efforts will inform future actions and disease management strategies.
The DEC urges hunters and the public to report any sick or dying deer, including roadkill, in Region 6 to aid in the state’s testing and monitoring efforts. Reports can be made by contacting the DEC’s Region 6 Wildlife Office at 315-785-2263 or via email at Information.R6@dec.ny.gov.
With CWD cases continuing to spread in other states, DEC officials stress the importance of vigilance among hunters to prevent the disease from establishing itself in New York’s wild deer population. CWD is always fatal to deer and, if introduced to wild herds, can spread rapidly and be nearly impossible to eradicate. Hunters are advised to take the following precautions:
- Debone deer, elk, moose, or caribou harvested outside of New York before bringing it into the state; illegally imported carcasses will be confiscated and destroyed by DEC.
- Avoid using deer urine-based lures, as they may contain infectious material; opt for synthetic alternatives instead.
- Dispose of carcass waste properly in a landfill, not in the wild.
- Report any deer exhibiting signs of illness, abnormal thinness, or unusual behavior to local DEC offices.
- Practice ethical hunting by targeting only wild deer and adhering to fair chase principles.
The state will provide updates as surveillance continues and additional information becomes available.
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