Three other Mississippi deer were found with chronic wasting disease

Three other cases of chronic debilitating disease were found in Mississippi deer, bringing the total to nine.

According to the Clarion Ledger, the Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks states that a confirmed case was in Benton County and two in Marshall County. The department's executive director, Russ Walsh, said that it was the first case in Benton County.

The fatal neurological disease is contagious and causes weight loss and movement problems in deer. It is present in 25 other states, including Tennessee.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency announced on Wednesday that the total number of confirmed cases in Mississippi's Fayette and Hardeman counties rose to 91. The counties confirmed 24 cases in mid-January.

The first case in Mississippi was discovered last year in Issaquena County.