CWD Detected in Jeff Davis Parish Deer; Hunters Asked to Assist with Surveillance

Jeff Davis Parish Deer Tests Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease

A deer from a farm in Jeff Davis Parish has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), prompting state wildlife officials to take immediate action to contain the spread of the disease. The positive test was confirmed on November 7 by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), which announced a quarantine on the farm and surrounding areas. The quarantine restricts the movement of live deer and deer products into or out of the facility and includes a 25-mile surveillance zone around the affected farm.

CWD: A Growing Concern for Wildlife Populations

Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal neurological disease that affects members of the cervid family, including white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. The disease, caused by a prion—a misfolded protein particle—attacks the brain of infected animals, leading to severe neurological symptoms such as weight loss, incoordination, excessive salivation, and eventual death. While CWD does not pose a known risk to human health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend against consuming meat from infected animals.

Surveillance and Testing Efforts Ramp Up

State officials are focusing on surveillance to prevent the further spread of CWD in wild deer populations. The Office of the State Veterinarian has established a 25-mile surveillance zone around the infected deer farm. In addition to quarantining affected farms, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reviewing movement records for nearby herds and restricting movement of deer in the area.

To aid in these efforts, Louisiana deer hunters in the area are being asked to assist by submitting samples from any harvested deer. The samples, consisting of a deer head with 4 to 5 inches of neck, will be used for diagnostic testing to determine if CWD has spread to the local wild herd.

Where to Submit Samples

Hunters who harvest deer in the surveillance zone can submit samples to the LDWF Field Office at 1025 Tom Watson Road, Lake Charles, LA 70615. Early detection through testing will be crucial to understanding whether the local wild deer population has been exposed to CWD.

Importance of Early Detection

CWD is known for its long incubation period, meaning infected animals may not show symptoms for months or even years. Because there is no cure or vaccine for CWD, early detection is key to preventing the disease from spreading further. Since 2002, the LDWF has conducted statewide surveillance for CWD in free-ranging deer, and to date, the only confirmed cases in Louisiana’s wild deer population have been in Tensas Parish.

What Hunters Need to Know

Hunters in the region are strongly encouraged to submit deer for testing, even if they do not observe any signs of illness. CWD is a slow-moving disease, and symptoms can be subtle in early stages. The more samples that are submitted for testing, the better the chances of detecting the disease early and preventing its spread.

Global Impact of CWD

CWD has now been identified in 34 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces, and several countries worldwide, including Norway, Finland, Sweden, and South Korea. As the disease continues to spread across North America, officials are urging hunters and wildlife agencies to remain vigilant and take action to help prevent the spread of CWD to new areas.

For more information on CWD and how to submit samples, hunters are encouraged to contact the LDWF or visit the department’s website.