Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2023

Contact: Dan Richter, Public Information Officer, (608) 419-5352, dan.richter@wisconsin.gov​

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MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) confirms that a Sauk County deer farm has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). The samples were confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.

The positive result came from a 1​0-year-old doe. The 22-acre farm ​has been placed under quarantine, where it will remain while DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) veterinarians and staff conduct the epidemiological investigation.

CWD is a fatal, neurological disease of deer, elk and moose caused by an infectious protein called a prion that affects the animal's brain. DATCP regulates deer farms for registration, recordkeeping, disease testing, movement, and permit requirements.

More information

• About CWD: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/ChronicWastingDisease.aspx
  
• About DATCP's farm-raised deer program: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/FarmRaisedDeer.aspx
  

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