(Lewis) Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is causing a reduction in the number of deer herds in Iowa, particularly in southwest Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting a virtual public meeting on Zoom on Thursday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m. John Lorenzen, with the Iowa DNR field office in Lewis, says the purpose of the meeting is to listen to the presentation to learn more about CWD surveillance and management efforts in Iowa and how people can help. Additionally, it gives people the opportunity to ask questions about the subject.
Lorenzen says CWD is a neurological disease caused by a prion that attacks the brain of infected deer, causing loss of weight and body functions and leading to death. He says it is always fatal to the infected animal. CWD is similar to Scrapie in sheep, mad cow disease in Cattle, and Creutzfelt-Jakobs disease in humans. So far this year, 397 wild deer have tested positive for this disease.
Lorenzen says the public must pre-register using the link on the DNR website and have a smartphone/computer/device with an internet connection. The public can view the meeting on the DNR’s YouTube channel and its social media platforms.
