The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is warning hunters of reported cases of chronic wasting disease in free-range deer, with officials having most recently documented cases in Coleman County.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is classified as a “fatal neurological disease” that typically afflicts deer, moose, and elk. The disease was discovered in free-range mule deer near the Hueco Mountains in 2012, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
“This slow, progressive disease may not produce visible signs in susceptible species for several years after infection. As the disease progresses, animals with CWD may show changes in behavior and appearance,” said the TPWD on its website. “Clinical signs may include progressive weight loss, stumbling or tremors with a lack of coordination, loss of appetite, teeth grinding, abnormal head posture and drooping ears, and excessive thirst, salivation or urination.”
The department confirmed a new case of this disease through a voluntary sampling provided by the hunter of a 2-year-old whitetail buck. This marks the first detection of the disease in Coleman County.
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory conducted an initial analysis of samples from the deer, and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa confirmed the detection of the disease.
Dr. J. Hunter Reed, a wildlife veterinarian for the TPWD, told WFAA that there have been more detections of this condition recently than five years ago. He added that while most of these cases occur to animals in breeding facilities, the illness nonetheless threatens free-range deer.
“Really what the department is focused on is we’re trying to reduce the transmission of that disease and really trying to keep the welfare of all Texas deer in mind,” said Reed, according to WFAA. “That’s really our first priority here.”
TPWD officials request that hunters submit deer harvested between Coleman and Cross Plains to voluntary testing. The organization will also establish containment and surveillance zones in this area; these will likely be installed next year.
