Chronic Wasting Disease confirmed in Winneshiek County

Chronic wasting disease has been confirmed in wild deer from Winneshiek and Fayette counties.

The Iowa DNR announced the results Tuesday, bringing to eight the total number of counties in Iowa where wild deer have tested positive.

Iowa DNR wildlife biologist Tyler Harms says the agency will schedule a public meeting in Winneshiek County in the next few months to discuss chronic wasting disease, the DNR's response and the role hunters play in helping to manage this disease.

Said Harms, "We want to increase the surveillance in close proximity to the positive deer to hopefully catch any other positive (results) in the area."

The Iowa DNR has contacted all hunters with a deer which tested positive and has offered to come collect the deer meat, hide and other animal parts.  The Centers for Disease Control advises against consuming animals that have tested positive for disease.

The Iowa DNR has been testing deer for chronic wasting disease since 2002. The first positive was in 2013 near Harpers Ferry in Allamakee County. To date, there have been 89 wild deer which have tested positive for CWD.

More information is available online at www.iowadnr.gov/cwd.