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Wisconsin deer farm depopulated after CWD found in herd

A Wisconsin deer farm has been struck by chronic wasting disease. 

Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection officials say the farm in Taylor County had a six-year-old doe test positive for CWD last fall, and the farm was immediately quarantined, meaning no live animals or whole carcasses could leave the farm.

Two hundred thirty-eight deer were depopulated.  DATCP officials say 61 of them tested positive for the fatal, neurological disease.

Chronic Wasting Disease is caused by prion that affects the brain of cervids including deer, elk, and moose.

The farm will not be permitted to have cervids for five years, and it must maintain fences and submit to routine inspections. 

The farm owner will receive federal indemnity for the depopulated animals.

This is the fifth deer farm affected by CWD in 2022.  Earlier in August, 20 animals were depopulated at a Waukesha County farm.  Eight of those deer tested positive for CWD.  In June, forty-seven deer were depopulated at a Langlade County farm under quarantine since last year, but none of them tested positive for the disease.  A Walworth County farm was placed under quarantine in May after a deer tested positive for the disease.  A Waukesha County farm was also placed in quarantine in February after two three-year-old bucks tested positive.