Capitol News

Genesee County has recorded its first case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a wild deer, making it the 16th county in Michigan where the disease has been found, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The affected animal, an adult doe displaying signs of illness in Gaines Township, tested positive for CWD.

The diagnosis was confirmed by the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The sample will undergo further confirmation at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.

CWD is a fatal neurological condition that impacts white-tailed deer, elk, and moose. In addition to Genesee County, other Michigan counties with detected cases include Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Ogemaw and Washtenaw.

The disease spreads slowly and can exist at low levels in new areas before being detected. Genesee County underwent targeted surveillance for CWD in 2022 when around 300 deer were tested with no positives reported at that time. Since then the DNR has continued to test sick-appearing deer as opportunities arise.

The infected doe was described as underweight and drinking excessively before approaching a conservation officer who responded to a public report. Public notifications of sick animals are important for early detection of CWD at low prevalence rates.

“We appreciate the support and cooperation of the public as they continue to report sick deer so our team can follow up with the necessary testing for confirmation,” said Brent Rudolph, DNR deer, elk and moose management specialist. “Though many reported deer turn out not to be infected, the care that’s demonstrated when people take the time to share their observations is a critical contribution to our disease-testing efforts.”

Symptoms such as lethargy or disorientation may indicate CWD but could also result from other illnesses or injuries. Residents are encouraged to report any sick-acting deer through Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField.

Efforts by researchers and hunters working with DNR on monitoring and containing CWD rely on limited funding provided by Michigan’s legislature.

Since CWD was first found in wild deer in 2015 more than 110,000 animals have been tested statewide through various programs including reports from citizens and testing hunter-harvested animals. Overall surveillance since 2002 has included over 144,000 wild deer resulting in identification of 263 positive cases. Direct submissions by hunters to MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory began in 2020; over 3,200 samples submitted this way have yielded an additional 56 confirmed positives.

Testing strategies changed after initial intensive sampling near outbreak sites; starting in 2021 DNR implemented a rotational approach selecting different counties each year aiming eventually for comprehensive coverage across all counties—intended for earlier detection when intervention is most effective.

For hunters this means multiple options depending on location: focused testing continues during 2025 across several named counties while free self-sample submission kits—previously available only in select areas—will become accessible statewide outside designated surveillance zones next year. These allow lymph node removal and direct shipping for laboratory analysis at no cost if picked up locally; otherwise paid submission options remain available via cooperating USDA-approved labs. More information about locations can be found on the state’s CWD testing webpage.

Deer donated from previously affected counties through Hunters Feeding Michigan are also automatically sent for testing at MSU VDL.

There have been no human cases linked to CWD infection so far but health officials advise against eating meat from infected animals as a precaution based on guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC recommendations). Hunters should wear gloves while processing game minimize contact with brain or spinal tissues wash hands thoroughly afterward—and dispose of carcasses properly using landfill services or regular trash pickup rather than discarding remains outdoors especially from known CWD areas (Proper disposal guidelines).

Further details about chronic wasting disease are available at Michigan.gov/CWD.