[ad_1]
ST. CHARLES, Missouri (KMOV.com) – The Missouri Department of Conservation is conducting mandatory sampling of captured deer, including counties around St. Louis, to detect chronic debilitating disease (CDD) this weekend, which marks the opening of the deer season.
Hunters who harvest deer in the 31 counties selected this weekend must present them to a sampling station so that staff can take tissue samples to test the animals.
According to a press release from the Missouri Department of Conservation, a doe was found with the contagious and deadly brain disease in south-central Missouri two weeks ago. They report that there have been 76 cases of the disease since 2012.
"The sampling of deer with potential signs of CWD is an important part of our surveillance efforts and we greatly appreciate the help of the public," said Jasmine Batten, CWD Wildlife Disease Coordinator.
This is the first deer found dead in Missouri to have tested positive for the disease that the CDC has classified in the same group as the "mad cow disease".
Hunters are required to present any deer harvested at any of the MDC's sampling stations.
The Weldon Spring sampling station at St. Charles will be the most accessible station in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Click here for more information on CWD's mandatory sampling stations.
[ad_2]
Source link
