Two cases of Chronic Wasting Disease have been identified in a farmed deer herd in Crow Wing County Minnesota. CWD is a brain and nerve damaging disease of deer and elk. Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association President Krist Wollum says the discovery of this latest case in north central Minnesota is a concern for the state’s cattle herd.
A pair of two-year-old female deer were slaughtered at the farm and both tested positive for CWD. The State Board of Animal Health quarantined the affected herd. Wollum says while that action is positive, more needs to be done to protect other livestock.
Wollum says his group intends to share their concerns about CWD with state lawmakers, who begin their regular session in St. Paul today.
There are no known treatments or vaccines for CWD and the disease is always fatal. It is not known to affect humans, though consuming infected meat is not advised.
