Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed in 16 Michigan Counties Including Genesee

Kentucky is facing an outbreak of Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) in its white-tailed deer population, with over 1,000 deer reported sick or dead across 94 counties, including Jefferson County. The disease, caused by a virus spread by biting midges, is not transmissible between deer or humans, but infected deer may be more vulnerable to secondary infections, and hunters are advised not to consume sick deer. Meanwhile, chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological condition affecting deer, elk, and moose, continues to spread in Michigan, where Genesee County recently confirmed its first wild deer case, bringing the total affected counties to 16. CWD spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can persist in the environment, making proper handling and disposal of carcasses critical to preventing further transmission. Hunters are urged to take precautions such as avoiding consumption of high-risk tissues, using protective gear, and disposing of carcass parts safely, with detailed guidance available from state wildlife agencies and organizations like cwd-info.org. Public reporting of sick deer remains a vital tool for wildlife agencies to monitor and manage these diseases.