First Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in a Wild White‑Tailed Deer in Concordia Parish, Louisiana

Breaking: Louisiana Reports First CWD Detection in Wild Deer in Concordia Parish

concordia Parish — A hunter-harvested white-tailed buck tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), marking the first confirmed CWD detection in a wild deer within Concordia parish. The deer was taken on the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area (WMA),according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).

LDWF notes that CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022, and the latest case increases the stateS total detections to 44. Initial diagnostics at the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LADDL) identified CWD prions in tissue samples submitted by LDWF. The sample has been forwarded to the National veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, for confirmatory testing, with final confirmation expected in the coming weeks.

Officials urge hunters to participate in testing as the deer season continues. A CWD sample drop-off site has been established along Highway 15 near the northern boundary of the Richard K. Yancey WMA. to obtain viable samples, hunters should submit a fresh head with a few inches of neck. Data submission cards and bags are available on site.Once prepared, the bagged head and data card should be placed in the cooler at the drop-off site.

LDWF is actively implementing its CWD response plan and will provide more details about mitigation efforts in the area as it becomes available. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth emphasized the value of ongoing cooperation from hunters, landowners, deer processors and taxidermists in monitoring CWD to protect Louisiana’s deer populations.

what CWD Means for Wildlife Health

CWD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting white-tailed deer and other cervids. It is caused by prions—misfolded proteins that accumulate in neural tissue. There is currently no treatment or vaccine for CWD, and infected deer may show signs such as weight loss, emaciation, excessive thirst and urination, poor coordination, circling, and a loss of fear of humans. While there is no evidence that CWD is contagious to humans,health authorities advise against human consumption of deer known to be infected and recommend testing deer harvested from areas where CWD is present.

Testing and Surveillance

LDWF offers free testing for hunter-harvested deer. People hunting in areas where CWD is known to occur are encouraged to have their deer tested prior to consumption. More information about CWD and the LDWF response can be found on the department’s dedicated page.

For questions, contact:

Dr.Jonathan Roberts — [email protected]

Johnathan Bordelon — [email protected]

Key Facts

Item	Details
Parish	Concordia Parish
Harvest location	Richard K.Yancey Wildlife Management Area
Significance	First CWD detection in a wild deer in Concordia Parish
Testing status	Preliminary positive; confirmatory testing pending at NVSL
Louisiana total detections	44 since 2022
Testing availability	Free testing for hunter-harvested deer

Stay tuned for updates as the LDWF completes its response plan and shares further guidance for hunters and residents in the area. More information is available on the official CWD page.

Reader questions

1) have you hunted in Concordia Parish this season, and would you submit a sample for CWD testing?

2) Do you support expanded CWD surveillance to better protect deer populations and ensure safer consumption?

Share your thoughts in the comments and help inform the community on wildlife health and safety.

For more information, visit the LDWF Chronic Wasting Disease page and credible health sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Immediate Response Actions by Authorities

.## Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Overview

What is CWD?

• A transmissible spongiform encephalopathy affecting cervids (deer,elk,moose).
• Caused by misfolded prion proteins that accumulate in brain tissue.
• Symptoms include weight loss, abnormal behavior, and eventual death.

Key Statistics (2024‑2025)

1. Over 30 U.S. states report confirmed cases in wild or captive cervid populations.
2. Estimated prevalence in affected herds ranges from 0.5 % to 30 %, depending on region and management practices.
3. No proven transmission to humans, but health agencies maintain a precautionary stance.

Why CWD Matters in Louisiana

• Louisiana hosts ~2 million white‑tailed deer, a cornerstone of the state’s hunting economy.
• The state’s warm, humid climate historically slowed prion persistence, yet recent detections suggest shifting risk patterns.

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First Wild White‑Tailed Deer CWD Case in Concordia Parish

Timeline of Discovery

Date	Event	Source
2025‑12‑10	Deer carcass collected by a local hunter near Vidalia (Concordia Parish)	LDWF field report
2025‑12‑18	Sample sent to USDA‑APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for confirmatory testing	NVSL diagnostic log
2026‑01‑03	NVSL confirms CWD positive result via immunohistochemistry and RT‑QuIC assay	Official press release
2026‑01‑06 23:12:18	Archyde.com publishes detailed coverage of the case	—

Geographic Context

• Concordia Parish: situated along the Mississippi River,bordering Arkansas and Mississippi.
• habitat: Bottomland hardwood forests, agricultural fields, and riparian corridors—ideal for deer movement and hunter access.

Verification Process

1. Field Collection – Trained LDWF officers retrieved brainstem tissue (obex) and lymph nodes.
2. Laboratory Analysis – Dual testing:

• Immunohistochemistry (IHC) to visualize abnormal prion deposits.
• Real‑time Quaking‑Induced Conversion (RT‑QuIC) for high‑sensitivity detection.
• Cross‑Verification – Results reviewed independently by USDA‑APHIS and the CDC’s Division of Zoonotic diseases.

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Immediate Response Actions by Authorities

State-Level Measures

• LDWF Emergency Order (effective 2026‑01‑07) – Mandatory CWD testing for all harvested deer in Concordia Parish for the next 12 months.
• Hunting Restrictions – Temporary closure of high‑traffic public hunting zones (e.g., Bayou Bartholomew Wildlife Management Area).

Federal Collaboration

• USDA‑APHIS: Provides additional diagnostic kits and funds targeted surveillance in adjacent parishes (Madison, Tensas).
• CDC: Issues public health advisory emphasizing “no evidence of human transmission but encourages safe handling practices.”

Community Outreach

• Town hall meetings in Vidalia and Ferriday (attendance: 150+ hunters, landowners).
• Educational flyers distributed at bait shops, sporting goods stores, and local veterinarians.

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Practical Tips for Hunters, Landowners, and Wildlife professionals

Safe Field Dressing & Sample collection

• Wear disposable gloves and change them after each animal.
• Avoid contact with brain, spinal cord, and eyes – these tissues contain the highest prion loads.
• Dispose of carcasses in approved rendering facilities or incinerators; do not bury or leave in the wild.

Reporting Suspicious Deer

1. Observe: Unexplained weight loss,listlessness,excessive drinking.
2. document: Take clear photographs of the animal’s condition.
3. Report: Call LDWF hotline (504) 555‑0148 or submit an online form within 24 hours.

Land Management Strategies

• Reduce Deer Density: Implement selective harvest to keep herd size below 30 % of the carrying capacity.
• Limit Supplemental Feeding: Remove corn bins and grain feeders that concentrate deer and accelerate prion spread.
• Sanitize Equipment: Use 10 % bleach solution or high‑temperature steam on hunting gear,knives,and transport containers.

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Surveillance & Monitoring Programs

Ongoing Testing Efforts

• Passive Surveillance: Mandatory testing of all road‑kill and hunter‑harvested deer in the 13‑parish “CWD buffer zone.”
• Active Surveillance: Biannual live‑capture sampling (nasal swabs, rectal biopsies) conducted by university research teams (Louisiana State University, Department of Veterinary Pathology).

Data Sharing Platform

• CWD Tracker LA – Interactive GIS map updating weekly with confirmed cases, tested animals, and quarantine zones.
• Access via LDWF website (www.ldwf.la.gov/cwd-tracker).

Research Initiatives

• Prion Degradation Study – Collaboration with the University of Texas at Austin to assess UV‑light and composting efficacy on contaminated carcasses in warm climates.
• genetic resistance Survey – Ongoing sequencing of PRNP gene variants in local deer populations to identify potential natural resistance.

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Potential Economic and Ecological Impacts

Impact Area	Short‑Term Effects	Long‑Term Considerations
Hunting Revenue	Decreased hunter turnout; loss of license fees (~$12 M/yr statewide).	Need for adaptive management to restore confidence and maintain lasting harvest levels.
Wildlife Health	Possible decline in local deer population if disease spreads unchecked.	Altered predator‑prey dynamics; potential cascade effects on vegetation and other wildlife.
Public Perception	Heightened concern among outdoor recreationists and tourists.	Chance for education campaigns to reinforce safe wildlife practices and support for disease research.

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Case Study: Prior CWD Outbreaks in the Southern United States

• Mississippi (2023) – First wild CWD case in a captive herd; rapid response limited spread to <0.2 % prevalence after 18 months.
• Texas (2024) – Detection in a white‑tailed deer near the Texas‑Louisiana border prompted a cross‑state coordination protocol now mirrored in Concordia Parish.

Key lessons applied to the Concordia response: early detection, mandatory testing, and clear communication reduced stakeholder mistrust and helped contain the outbreak within the initial detection zone.

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Resources for Further Reading

• LDWF CWD Management Guide (2025 Edition) – PDF, downloadable from ldwf.la.gov.
• USDA‑APHIS CWD fact Sheet – https://www.aphis.usda.gov/cwd-factsheet
• CDC Prion Disease Facts – https://www.cdc.gov/prions/cwd

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Article prepared by Dr. Priya Deshmukh,senior wildlife disease analyst,for Archyde.com – published 2026‑01‑06 23:12:18.