HARRISBURG, PA — An adult male deer in Packer Township, Carbon County, has recently tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), marking the first confirmed case of the disease in the county. The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced this week that the deer, which was found dead and severely emaciated by a landowner, was located more than 10 miles from any previously confirmed cases.
CWD is an always-fatal neurological disease caused by a misfolded protein known as a prion. It primarily affects deer and elk and is classified as a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), similar to mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. The disease is highly contagious, spreading through direct contact between animals or indirectly through contaminated environments. Prions shed by infected deer in saliva, urine, feces, or from carcasses can persist in the environment for decades.
Officials warn that feeding deer can accelerate the spread of the disease and remind residents that such practices are illegal within established Disease Management Areas (DMAs). Although there is no evidence of CWD infecting humans under natural conditions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against consuming meat from infected animals as a precaution.
The detection of CWD in a new area spotlights the importance of vigilant monitoring and management of the disease. The Pennsylvania Game Commission continues its efforts to limit the spread while raising public awareness about the risks associated with feeding wildlife and improper disposal of infected carcasses. Ongoing research and public cooperation remain critical in addressing the challenges posed by CWD and protecting the state’s deer population.
The Game Commission will hold an informational meeting to answer public questions on Thursday, Feb. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Penn State Hazleton, Graham Building Room 115, Parking Lot F (76 University Drive, Hazleton, PA 18202). For more information, call the CWD Hotline at 1-833-INFOCWD, email INFOCWD@pa.gov, or visit www.arcg.is/1G4TLr.
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