The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced yesterday that it has identified a positive case of chronic wasting disease in a wild deer killed in the town of Sparta in Livingston County.
This is the first occurrence of CWD in a wild deer in New York since 2005.
The positive sample came from an adult female white-tailed deer tested as part of DEC’s annual statewide wild deer surveillance program. The sample was tested twice at the Cornell University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Additional testing is currently underway at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.
The discovery of CWD in the wild activates the state’s CWD response plan, developed jointly by DEC and the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. The plan outlines steps for determining the scope of a CWD outbreak, including sampling and containment measures.
Since deer hunting season has already begun, state officials will first rely on samples obtained by hunters to determine the extent of the outbreak and the prevalence of CWD in wild deer in the area.
Containment zone
New York State is establishing a containment zone including the towns of Conesus, Groveland, North Dansville, Sparta, Springwater and West Sparta. The containment zone may be expanded depending on any new positive detection.
The DEC requires hunters to submit a tissue sample from all deer harvested in the containment zone. Additionally, hunters cannot transport whole deer out of the containment zone. A transportation permit provided by the DEC is required for all deer harvested within the containment zone and taken to a processor or taxidermist outside of the containment zone.
The DEC encourages all hunters and processors to tag deer harvested in the containment zone with paper carcass tags or change of possession tags to confirm harvest location.
Collection stations
The DEC establishes collection stations within the containment zone so hunters can submit samples of their deer.
DEC will begin collecting samples on site on November 12. The location and hours of operation of these collection stations and additional information will be available on the DEC website.
Hunters who harvest a deer in the containment zone before the collection stations open should save the head and email the DEC at cwd.response@dec.ny.gov. Hunters who report a harvest in the containment zone may be contacted by the DEC.
DEC also works with local meat processors and taxidermists to collect samples. Hunters will be notified if their deer test positive for CWD and the DEC will request collection of the venison for proper disposal.
DEC and AGM will also contact and request registrations from all captive deer herds in the area. The public is encouraged to report any sick or dying deer to the DEC for possible collection and testing. Once the extent of the CWD outbreak is known, the DEC and AGM will implement a disease management strategy.
The DEC will file a notice in the Environmental Advisory Bulletin implementing certain aspects of the CWD-related regulations (6 NYCRR Part 189) to ensure the proper handling of live captive deer, deer carcasses, and rehabilitation of deer to prevent further spread of CWD across the landscape.
DEC CWD regulations:
- Prohibit the movement of high-risk animal parts out of the containment zone, such as the brain, spinal cord, spleen and eyes;
- Establish mandatory submission of hunter samples for any deer harvested in the containment zone;
- Prohibit the possession of any deer killed by vehicles in the containment zone;
- Prohibit the collection, sale, possession or transportation of deer or elk urine collected in the containment zone; And
- Prohibit the rehabilitation of wild white-tailed deer originating from and entering the containment zone.
The DEC will host a virtual CWD information session to inform stakeholders and deer enthusiasts and discuss future management and containment plans.
The webinar will take place on Tuesday, November 17 at 7:00 p.m. Register online. Additional in-person public outreach opportunities will be held in Livingston County and details will be available on the DEC website once scheduled.
About chronic wasting disease
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, moose and elk. Once introduced, it is almost impossible to eliminate.
The DEC began monitoring for CWD in 2002. In 2005, CWD was confirmed in captive and wild deer in Oneida County, marking the first case of the disease in the state. In 2024, CWD was confirmed in a captive red deer herd in southern Herkimer County. Since 2002, the DEC has tested more than 70,000 wild deer statewide, without discovering any additional cases.
There is no evidence that CWD is linked to illness in humans, domestic dogs or cats, or livestock other than deer, moose, and elk.
However, the Centers for Disease Control recommends not consuming venison from deer known to have CWD. To protect pets from illness, prevent them from feeding on or coming into contact with sick or dead wildlife and report any suspected exposure to your veterinarian.
Hunters who hunt a deer in New York outside of the containment zone can pay to have their deer tested.
Gn Health
