Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in Wisconsin Deer Farm, Prompts Urgent Quarantine and Investigation

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has confirmed that a Washburn County deer farm has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). The samples were confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.

The positive result came from a 3-year-old doe. The 150-acre farm has been placed under quarantine, where it will remain while DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) veterinarians and staff conduct the epidemiological investigation.

CWD is a fatal, neurological disease of deer, elk, and moose caused by an infectious protein called a
prion that affects the animal’s brain. DATCP regulates deer farms for registration, recordkeeping, disease testing, movement, and permit requirements.

You can find more information about CWD on the DATCP’s website. You can also find more information about their farm-raised deer program here.