Washington State has confirmed its first case of Chronic Wasting Disease in a deer outside Spokane. Though obviously panic-inducing in some people, most people agree it was only a matter of time. The discovery, made in a rural area, has raised concerns among local hunters and wildlife officials about the potential spread of this fatal disease within Washington's deer, elk, and moose populations.
The Case in Washington
The infected deer was found during routine monitoring by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). This case marks the first time CWD has been detected in Washington, a state that has been on alert due to the disease's presence in neighboring regions.
How Did It Get Here?
The exact source of CWD in Washington is still under investigation, and I'm sure they'll come to the same general conclusions as elsewhere. In reality we'll likely never know. The official line from the DNR is that it’s likely that the disease spread through natural wildlife movements or potentially through the transportation of infected animals or carcasses from other states where CWD is more prevalent.
What’s Next?
The first case of CWD in Washington is a serious concern to a lot of residents, but not particularly surprising to those of us following this disease. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is putting out the usual talking points and taking the same steps most states are, emphasizing hunter vigilance, increased observation and testing, and attempting to control the spread.
In response to this discovery, the WDFW is expanding its CWD monitoring efforts. They’re urging hunters, especially those in areas near the detection site, to have their harvested animals tested. The department is also conducting additional testing and potentially removing more animals in the affected area to prevent further spread.
