CASPER, Wyo. — The presence of chronic wasting disease has been confirmed for the first time in Elk Hunt Area 59, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced Monday.
The presence of the disease was confirmed after a cow elk tested positive in early November, Game and Fish said.
Elk Hunt Area 59 in the Cody Region overlaps two deer hunt areas where chronic wasting disease was previously detected. The disease was confirmed in Deer Hunt Area 112 in 2015 and in Deer Hunt Area 113 in 2016, according to Game and Fish.
Chronic wasting disease is 100% fatal to elk, deer and moose after they have been infected with the disease. When the disease is detected in a new hunt area, Game and Fish makes an announcement to inform hunters. An interactive map showing all areas where the disease has been confirmed in Wyoming is available online.
“The Centers for Disease Control recommends hunters do not consume any animal that is obviously ill or tests positive for CWD,” Game and Fish said.
The department has tested 4,759 lymph node samples taken from deer and elk for chronic wasting disease so far in 2022. Those samples were primarily submitted by hunters, Game and Fish noted.
“Continued monitoring of CWD over time is important to help Game and Fish understand the potential impacts of the disease as well as evaluate future management actions for deer and elk,” Game and Fish said. “Please visit the Game and Fish website for more information on chronic wasting disease testing, transmission and regulations on the transportation and disposal of carcasses.”
