Chronic Wasting Disease Detected at a High Fence Release Site in Kaufman County

AUSTIN –Texas Parks and Wildlife detected Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on a high fence release site in Kaufman County. It is the first positive detection of CWD in the county. 

The white-tailed buck, harvested at a high-fence release site in a CWD Surveillance Zone, was delivered to a Hunt County CWD check station in compliance with surveillance zone requirements. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) received notice of the CWD-positive test result from the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) on Nov. 14. 

Before this detection, they identified the high-fence release site as a “trace herd.” In addition, the property to the Hunt County CWD-positive deer breeding facility was reported on Mar. 31, 2021, meaning deer were transferred from the Hunt County facility to this release site before the discovery of CWD in that facility. Plans to conduct additional CWD investigations are underway. 

“The incubation period of CWD can span years, creating disease detection and management challenges as seen in this recent detection,” said Andy Schwartz, TAHC Executive Director, and State Veterinarian. 

Animal health and wildlife officials will continue investigations to determine the extent of the disease within the property and mitigate risks to Texas’ CWD-susceptible species. Adequate surveillance and quick detection of CWD can help reduce the disease’s spread. 

“The discovery of CWD on this ranch is an unfortunate situation that TPWD and TAHC take very seriously,” said John Silovsky, TPWD Wildlife Division Director. “Both agencies will respond appropriately to this matter to protect the state’s susceptible species from further disease exposure. In addition, hunters are reminded of the requirement to bring their harvested deer to the check station within 48 hours of harvest.” 

First recognized in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado, they documented CWD in captive and free-ranging deer in 30 states and three Canadian provinces. To date, 420 captive or free-ranging cervids — including white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer, and elk — in 17 Texas counties have tested positive for CWD. For more information on previous detections, visit the CWD page on the TPWD website. 

Testing for CWD allows wildlife biologists and animal health officials to get a clearer picture of the prevalence and distribution of the disease across Texas. In addition, proactive monitoring improves the state’s response time to CWD detection. It can significantly reduce the risk of the disease further spreading to neighboring captive and free-ranging populations.

This confirmation is an excellent reminder to those hunting in CWD surveillance and containment zones to know the submission requirements for CWD-susceptible species. Additionally, hunters outside of established management and containment zones are encouraged to voluntarily submit their harvest for testing at a check station, for free, before heading home from the field. You can get a map of TPWD check stations for all CWD zones on the TPWD website.

For more information about CWD, visit the TPWD or TAHC website.