Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting deer species, was detected in Louisiana in 2022, joining a growing list of states battling the spread of the disease. CWD has been confirmed in at least 24 states, including neighboring Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi, and poses a significant threat to wildlife populations. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF) has issued guidelines to help prevent the further spread of the disease, urging hunters to adopt safe carcass disposal practices.
CWD affects deer, elk, moose, and other cervids, causing irreversible damage to the brain tissue. Infected animals display symptoms such as weight loss, excessive salivation, head tremors, incoordination, and neurological impairment. The disease, which is part of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) group—related to BSE (mad cow disease) and scrapie—has no known cure or treatment and is always fatal.
The disease spreads through contact with infected animals’ saliva, blood, urine, feces, food, water, and soil. Once infected, the animal may not show symptoms for 16 months or longer, making early detection difficult. While CWD has not been shown to infect humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against consuming meat from infected animals.
To reduce the risk of spreading CWD, LDWF recommends the following disposal methods for deer carcasses:
- On-site burial: Carcasses should be buried deep enough to prevent scavengers from accessing them. Hunters are encouraged to leave only approved parts on the property where the animal was harvested.
- Approved landfills: Carcasses can be disposed of in household garbage taken to lined landfills, which minimize the risk of spreading infectious prions.
- Leave in place: If burial is not feasible, leaving the carcass in place may limit the spread of CWD to other properties.
Improper disposal methods, such as dumping remains in waterways or burning carcasses, can lead to further contamination. LDWF specifically warns against transporting infected remains to other properties for processing unless they are buried or taken to a landfill.
CWD is more commonly detected in mature bucks or animals displaying symptoms. LDWF encourages hunters to test harvested deer for CWD and report any deer exhibiting signs of the disease to their local field office. Testing information can be found at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd-testing.
With the continued rise in CWD cases, wildlife officials stress the importance of responsible hunting practices and safe carcass disposal to protect Louisiana’s deer population from further exposure to this deadly disease.