Michigan Confirms Chronic Wasting Disease in Farmed Deer in Calhoun, Kent and Mackinac Counties
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has confirmed new cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer across three Michigan counties. According to a recent release, an infected two-and-a-half-year-old deer was detected in Calhoun County, a four-year-old infected deer in Kent County, and a three-year-old deer in Mackinac County. CWD is a progressive and fatal neurological disease that impacts various cervid species, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. Animals infected with CWD may not show symptoms for months or even years, but eventually exhibit abnormal behavior, significant weight loss, and physical debilitation. Prior to these new confirmations, CWD cases had already been identified in several other Michigan counties, such as Lake, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola. MDARD is currently conducting investigations to ascertain if there have been any additional exposures to other farmed cervids in the affected areas. 
