An annual survey from the Maryland Division of Pure Sources revealed that 62 white-tailed deer sampled in 2024 examined constructive for continual losing illness (CWD).
The survey additionally discovered that every one however one of many constructive samples for the deadly prion illness got here from inside the state’s CWD administration space, which incorporates Allegany (34 constructive pattern), Baltimore (0), Carroll (0), Frederick (7), Montgomery (3), and Washington (17) counties. CWD was additionally detected in Howard County for the primary time, leading to an growth of the CWD administration space.
CWD was first confirmed in Maryland in 2011, and the brand new findings carry the state’s whole of confirmed circumstances to 285.
CWD continues to unfold
“Sadly, continual losing illness continues to unfold nationally, regionally, and inside the state of Maryland,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer stated in a division press launch. “Because the illness spreads inside Maryland, we are going to proceed to watch it intently to offer the general public with dependable info and handle the influence on our deer herd.”
CWD results cervids corresponding to deer, elk, and moose, spreading via cervid-to-cervid contact and environmental contamination. A sluggish and progressive illness attributable to misfolded prions, it impacts animals’ brains and is in the end deadly.
Maryland is one in all 36 states the place CWD has been documented. Though no human circumstances of CWD have been reported, well being officers warn the general public to not eat the meat of contaminated animals. CWD administration areas assist hold hunters knowledgeable, regulate how deer carcasses are transported, and assist sluggish the unfold of the illness.
