Four new positives of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) have been detected in Benton and Marshall Counties, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
CWD detections in those two counties make up 89.3 percent of the 362 positive cases discovered in Mississippi since 2018.
A MDWFP report shows 3,167 samples have been submitted for CWD testing in 2024-25. The agency’s fiscal year starts on July 1 and runs until June 30th.
CWD is a 100 percent always fatal disease in deer caused by an infectious prion in the Cervidae family. Prions are misfolded proteins. CWD prions are often spread by infected deer through bodily fluids. These prions can be shed into the environment which causes indirect transmission of CWD to healthy deer. Healthy deer can also contract CWD by direct contact with CWD positive deer.
Research has shown CWD can even spread to fawns, infant deer, before they are born through placental tissue in an infected doe’s womb. Young bucks are by far the most susceptible to CWD due to their roaming nature and bigger home ranges.
Since 2018, Benton County has had 201 deer test positive for CWD followed closely by Marshall County with 122 positive deer. Tate, Panola, Pontotoc and Lafayette Counties each have had one positive detection.
For a list of self-serve sample drop-off coolers and a list of participating taxidermists, visit the MDWFP website.
