Two new CWD-positive white-tailed deer found on two different farms in Wisconsin

MADISON (WITI) -- A white-tailed deer from a breeding farm in Richland County has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) and a third deer on a Marathon County hunting preserve also tested positive, State Veterinarian Dr. Paul McGraw announced today.

The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, reported the final test results back to the state on Monday afternoon.  The 2-year-old Richland County doe was one of about 50 deer reported to be on the 2 ½ acre farm located in Richland Center. The Marathon County animal was a 5-year-old buck.

Samples were taken on September 13 in Richland County and September 9 in Marathon County in accordance with Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s (DATCP’s) rules, which require testing of farm-raised deer and elk when they die, go to slaughter or are killed.

McGraw quarantined the Richland County herd, which stops movement of live deer from the property, except to slaughter. Disposition of the remaining deer will depend upon the outcome of the investigation. The DATCP Animal Health Division’s investigation will also examine the animal’s history and trace movements of deer onto and off the property to determine whether other herds may have been exposed to the CWD test-positive deer.

The Wilderness Whitetails hunting preserve and its three other locations have been quarantined since December 2013 when the first deer tested positive.  The business was allowed to conduct hunts on the quarantined preserves, because properly handled dead animals leaving the premises do not pose a disease