DNR Holding Virtual Meeting on Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer

The Iowa DNR is holding a virtual public meeting Thursday to give an update on statewide efforts to track and manage Chronic Wasting Disease in deer. 

State Wildlife Veterinarian Rachel Ruden says 25 of the 99 counties in the state have a confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease, with over half of those counties with just one detection.

Dr. Ruden says they will discuss those counties at their meeting.

She says they’ll discuss ways for hunters to prevent the spread of the disease.

Dr. Ruden says people often try to help the deer in the cold weather, but some of their actions can hurt them.

The deer pass Chronic Wasting Disease to each other when in close contact. She says the verdict on whether you can get the disease from eating infected venison is still out.

She says the CDC guidance is to not eat the meat if you know the animal is infected. Ruden says they would like you to sign up for the meeting.

The DNR’s virtual meeting on Chronic Wasting Disease will be Thursday at 7 pm on Zoom. Ruden says this is the fifth year for a virtual public meeting on the topic and hunters, landowners, those who eat venison or anyone else is welcome to watch and learn what’s happening in the state. To register to attend, visit: https://bit.ly/CWD120524. The recording will later be posted to the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel and shared on social media platforms.

story courtesy of Radio Iowa