Prentiss County, Mississippi Reports First Chronic Wasting Disease Positive Deer
A white-tailed deer harvested by a hunter in Prentiss County, Mississippi, has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), marking the first confirmed case in this county.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) announced the detection occurred during the current velvet season. Prentiss County lies in the state’s northwest corner and shares borders with four other counties already affected by CWD.
Current Management and Surveillance Efforts
MDWFP confirmed that this discovery does not prompt any immediate changes to existing CWD management zones or regulations. Prentiss County was already included within the North Mississippi CWD Management Zone prior to this positive finding.
Since February 2018, a total of 447 deer across 18 Mississippi counties have tested positive for the disease, emphasizing ongoing surveillance and monitoring efforts.
Expert Commentary and Biological Context
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurodegenerative illness that affects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose. It is caused by misfolded prion proteins that can transmit directly between animals or indirectly through contaminated environments.
The identification of CWD in Prentiss County reinforces the necessity for continued hunter participation in voluntary testing programs, which are critical for tracking disease spread in wild populations.
- CWD attacks the central nervous system, leading to progressive weight loss, behavioral changes, and eventual death.
- Prions responsible for CWD are highly resilient in the environment, persisting in soil and vegetation.
- Effective management requires coordinated surveillance across affected and bordering regions, as demonstrated in this case.
MDWFP urges hunters to submit harvested deer for testing to support proactive wildlife health management and to help mitigate the impact of the disease on wild cervid populations in Mississippi.
Additional reporting and sources from: Prentiss County, Mississippi, confirms first CWD-positive deer | CIDRAP
