Wisconsin DNR confirms case of CWD, renewing bans in Winnebago, Waushara, Green Lake and Fond du Lac counties
OSHKOSH – A case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in Winnebago County.
The state Department of Natural Resources confirmed Monday in a news release that a wild deer tested positive for CWD in the town of Nepeuskun, north of Ripon and within 10 miles of Waushara, Green Lake and Fond du Lac county borders.
The 3-year-old doe was reported sick and dispatched by the local sheriff's department. It is the first confirmed wild deer to test positive for CWD in Winnebago County.
The DNR and Winnebago County Deer Advisory Council are hosting a public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. April 25 at the Omro Town Hall, 4205 Rivermoor Road in Omro.
DNR staff will share information about CWD in the state, local CWD testing efforts and disease surveillance options being considered.
CWD is a fatal, infectious nervous system disease of deer, elk, moose and reindeer/caribou. The DNR began monitoring for CWD in 1999 and found its first positive case in 2002.
This case renews a three-year baiting and feeding ban in Winnebago County as well as a two-year baiting and feeding ban in Waushara, Green Lake and Fond du Lac counties, both required by state law.
Baiting or feeding deer encourages them to congregate around a food source where infected deer can spread CWD, which can be done through direct contact or through contact with infected saliva, blood, feces and urine, according to the DNR.
More information can be found at dnr.wisconsin.gov.
Contact Katy Macek at kmacek@thenorthwestern.com or 920-426-6658. Follow her on Twitter @KatherineMacek.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: CWD case confirmed in Winnebago County, DNR renews bait-and-feed bans
