New cases of Chronic Wasting Disease found in Missouri during past year
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports the agency has confirmed 243 new cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Missouri deer across 35 counties.
Seven counties had their first CWD-positive case: Audrain, Callaway, Lewis, Marion, Miller, Morgan, and Texas, according to a news release.
CWD is a fatal, neurological disease affecting deer, elk, and moose. It is contagious and can be transmitted directly between animals or through contaminated environments.
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CWD is a 100% fatal disease in white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family. The disease has led to a decline of the deer population in other states, and threatens Missouri's deer population, hunting culture, and economy.
The CWD-positive cases were found through sampling and testing of more than 36,000 deer during the past deer-hunting season, and post season targeted removal efforts with most cases being from hunter-harvested deer submitted for sampling.
MDC estimates the state has more than 1.5 million white-tailed deer.
MDC confirmed an additional 70 cases of CWD found through its targeted-removal efforts of 4,768 deer after the close of deer season.
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'The goal of targeted removal is to remove CWD-positive deer and reduce deer density in these localized areas to slow the spread of CWD and protect Missouri's deer herd,' explained MDC Wildlife Health Program Supervisor Deb Hudman.
'Targeted removal is a proven method to slow the spread of CWD and Missouri is one of several sates that uses it to manage the disease.'
Hunters and landowners are critical partners in the fight against CWD and can help by continuing to deer hunt, participate in sampling, and following regulations designed to slow spread by cooperating with targeted removal efforts.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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17 hours ago
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