CWD detected in a wild deer in Grand Rapids, Minnesota

The discovery of a wild white-tailed deer infected with CWD within the city of Grand Rapids is prompting the DNR to update its response plan to better reflect a statewide approach to disease surveillance, management, control and education.

The health of Minnesota’s wild deer herd remains a top priority for DNR, and the department always has looked at CWD as a disease that could impact the entire state yet implemented aggressive disease management actions as needed in each area where CWD was found.

This new discovery doesn’t make CWD a statewide problem, but it does mean we need to take more of a statewide approach.

There now are eight areas spread across Minnesota, from north to south, where CWD has been found in wild or farmed deer. Despite these detections, the disease remains rare in Minnesota. Fewer than 1% of deer have tested positive for CWD in areas where the disease has consistently been detected during the past five years.

We’ll be seeking public input as we explore and implement enhanced efforts at statewide surveillance, information and education.

More details: Learn more about the DNR’s response to CWD