CWD Public Meeting

[hatcreek]

Just a heads up for anyone who might like to attend... I will be going.



MDWFP Partners and Friends,

As you are aware, we were informed on February 9 that a single sample collected from a mature buck in Issaquena County tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, marking the first ever positive sample collected in Mississippi. The MDWFP is currently implementing Mississippi’s CWD Response Plan, which established management zones around the area where the infected deer was collected. In the coming weeks and months the MDWFP will begin sampling to determine the prevalence of the disease in the affected area. Results of the initial sampling will guide us to further implementing the response plan.

CWD is a contagious, prion disease that has no known treatment and laboratory analysis is necessary to confirm infection. It is believed that the disease spreads exchange of saliva during normal contact between animals, as well as through interactions with their surroundings as the prions are shed through urine, feces, and blood and are known to accumulate in the environment.

In addition to the biological response, the MDWFP understands there is a social aspect of the disease that cannot be neglected. Thus, we plan to host our firstpublic meeting to discuss CWD on Thursday February 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson. The objective of the meeting is to provide information about the disease, the CWD Response Plan, and to answer questions. As a partner in the natural resource community, we invite you and your staff to attend the public meeting. Further, we invite you to contact our staff with any questions you may have related to CWD.

Unfortunately, there are still many unknowns, both about the disease and the role it will play in the management of Mississippi’s deer herd. We understand that a lack of information can lead to frustrations and we appreciate your patience in these matters.

We look forward to working with you on this important issue. Please forward this meeting announcement to those that may desire to attend.

Thanks and best regards,

Russ


Russ Walsh
Executive Wildlife Director
MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
1505 Eastover Drive
Jackson, MS 39211

[moodyjeremy]

I sure hope this was an isolated incident and nothing more.

[hatcreek]

Pretty good crowd building in here...

Hope it doesn't turn into the "Witch" scene fron MP's Holy Grail.

[hatcreek]

For those who may not have heard...



***UPDATE***

Announced yesterday, 7 March...


Jackson – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks began Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sampling efforts on February 23, 2018 in the 5-mile CWD Containment Zone. Sixty-four samples were collected and submitted for testing. The results were returned on March 5 indicating all samples were “not detected for CWD”. In addition, numerous samples from purported sick and road-killed deer have been submitted for testing and these results will be shared upon receipt.

DNA analysis was conducted on the CWD-positive buck that was collected in Issaquena County on January 25, 2018. Results suggest the buck’s genetics match nearby free-range populations. MDWFP will continue to collect samples from the CWD Management Zone in an effort to determine the extent and prevalence of CWD in local deer populations.

https://www.mdwfp.com/media/news/wil...ults-returned/


Good news, so far.

[Z520C]

Thank you for the update Brian, hope the news remains good.

[rboren]

While the extra food may not hurt things,piling it in the same areas cannot be good. I just plant several food plots and hope for the best. I am no biologist,but piling it has to have some effect. Hopefully the meeting will open a few eyes and help us take better care of our wildlife! Love to be there but sadly can't.