(Area) Wildlife Management Biologist Matt Dollison from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says three Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) cases have been identified in southwest Iowa. CWD is a prion disease that affects certain wildlife species, like deer, elk, and moose. It is a neurodegenerative condition that damages the brain, leading to progressive loss of motor functions, behavioral changes, and eventually death.
Dollison reported that the three cases were located north of Walnut, near Avoca and Fremont County.
He noted that the department tracks the disease, identifies its locations, and implements measures to slow its spread while searching for a cure.
While the DNR has not yet determined a proactive plan for the affected areas, Dollison anticipates increased surveillance to understand disease prevalence better. This will include more blood sampling from deer harvested during the hunting season. Dollison also mentioned that this region’s decline in deer population is likely due to EHD or blue tongue disease. Hemorrhagic disease in deer, often called EHD or bluetongue, is a severe viral infection transmitted by biting flies. Outbreaks typically occur seasonally, coinciding with the life cycle of these insects, and usually peak from late summer to early fall. The severity of outbreaks can vary by region and year, influenced by factors such as drought, while some deer populations may exhibit natural immunity to the virus.
