Chronic Wasting Disease remains a concern in Winneshiek County

The annual shotgun deer hunting season is now underway across the state. Chronic Wasting Disease remains a concern in Winneshiek County, since deer with CWD have been found in Clayton and Allamakee counties.

CWD is a neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family. CWD is 100 percent fatal among deer and has been increasing in prevalence and distribution across the Midwest since the early 2000s.

Iowa State assistant professor Adam Janke says, "CWD can be spread directly between an infected and healthy deer and indirectly by contaminating soil where an infected deer once was."  Therefore, controlling movements of deer and deer carcasses across Iowa is essential, especially near areas where the disease is known to occur.

Hunters play a critical role in monitoring the distribution of the disease in the state and also in helping reduce its spread.