A hunter-harvested white-tailed doe taken in Ouachita Parish in January has tested positive for chronic wasting disease, setting off a fresh round of controls across northern Louisiana. The positive result has pushed the state to widen its CWD control area and roll out temporary restrictions aimed at reducing deer congregation and carcass movement. Hunters in and near the affected parishes are being urged to submit samples for testing and follow new transport rules as wildlife officials ramp up surveillance, according to New Orleans CityBusiness.
New Detection Triggers Bigger Control Zone
The discovery was reported March 12 by New Orleans CityBusiness, which said the doe tested positive after laboratory analysis and that the finding falls outside the state's earlier control areas. The outlet identified the deer as an adult female taken by a hunter in January and reported that the expanded control area includes all of Ouachita Parish and portions of Lincoln, Jackson, Union, Morehouse, Caldwell and Richland parishes. Officials told the publication the move is meant to slow onward spread while LDWF steps up testing.
Emergency Declaration Brings New Rules
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issued a Declaration of Emergency expanding the CWD control area and imposing temporary prohibitions on baiting and supplemental feeding inside the zone, according to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The declaration also restricts the export of whole deer carcasses from the control area, allowing only processed meat and certain parts under specified conditions. "We will continue to count on our hunters, property owners, deer processors and taxidermists for their assistance in monitoring CWD," LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth said in a statement.
Testing Effort and Case Count
Surveillance depends largely on hunter-submitted samples at drop-off locations and lab testing partnerships in Louisiana, and LSU Diagnostics said it has increased capacity and processed thousands of samples this season. LSU reported in late February that confirmed detections in wild deer had risen to 49, while New Orleans CityBusiness reported a statewide total of 55 confirmed cases since CWD was first found in the state in 2022. Numbers can change as new tests are confirmed and added to the official tally.
How CWD Spreads and Human Health Guidance
Chronic wasting disease is an always-fatal prion disease that affects deer and other cervids and can spread through direct animal contact or indirectly when prions contaminate soil, plants or water. There are no confirmed human cases, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends hunters avoid eating meat from animals that test positive and take precautions when field-dressing carcasses. Sick deer may show weight loss, drooling and disorientation, signs that should be reported to authorities.
How Hunters Can Get Deer Tested
Hunters who want a deer tested can find sample drop-off locations and instructions on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries CWD testing pages, and are asked to use those sites instead of transporting whole heads or spinal tissue outside the control area. LSU and LDWF are coordinating to expand lab capacity and field surveillance across the region, and officials say testing plus simple practices like not baiting are the best tools to slow spread. If you see a deer acting strangely or have questions about testing, contact your local LDWF field office or call the department's hotline at 800-442-2511 for guidance.
