Two Oklahoma deer test positive for chronic wasting disease

Chronic wasting disease in Oklahoma’s white-tail deer population has become a concern for wildlife as the second case was confirmed this week. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose, and other members of the cervid family. It is caused by abnormal proteins called prions and creates holes in the brain. 

The first case was identified in June in Texas County, which activated the state’s CWD Response Strategy, which is jointly operated by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.  

The most recent case was a white-tailed deer 15 miles east of Woodward, Oklahoma, in Woodward County. A landowner reported odd behavior exhibited by the animal, and it was euthanized and tested for CWD, which came back positive. 

Symptoms of CWD include weight loss, poor coordination, drooling, and other abnormal behavior. It is spread through direct contact between animals, saliva, feces, and indirectly through contaminated soil, carcasses, or equipment. CWD is a major concern in the wildlife population because it can spread easily without being controlled. Wildlife officials urge hunters and others who see deer acting strangely to contact a game ranger or other qualified person and report the sighting. 

“We will be working through our response plan implementing surveillance efforts and steps to monitor and slow the potential spread of this disease,” said Jerry Shaw, wildlife programs supervisor with ODWC. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure healthy and well-managed deer with as little impact to either the resource or our constituents as possible.”  

Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].