Wildlife officials report Chronic Wasting Disease discovered in Cimarron County

Cimarron Co. (KFOR) - The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) announced on Thursday a deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Cimarron County.

This means the existing Selective Surveillance Area (SSA) for the illness will be expanded in the county.

The expansion now includes the northwest area of the original SSA. The new boundaries stretch from the Oklahoma-New Mexico line near Mexhoma eastward to Boise City, then southeast following U.S. 287 to the Oklahoma-Texas line near Kerrick, Texas, says ODWC.

ODWC officials confirm, all land in Cimarron County within the boundaries of south and west are included in the SSA.

Hunters who harvest deer or elk within the SSA must comply with added restrictions in transporting animals outside the SSA.

According to ODWC, 35 states currently have detected CWD in free-ranging cervids within their borders with currently three active SSAs, all in northwestern Oklahoma. Wildlife officials say, CWD does not affect pronghorn antelope, and natural CWD transmission from wild animals to humans or livestock.

ODWC has established voluntary testing sites where hunters can test their harvested deer or elk to be tested for CWD.

• For full details about SSAs, voluntary testing, and cervid transport rules within an SSA, go here.
• For more information on the disease, hunting regulations, and proper disposal of infected animals, go here.
• Additional human health information relating to CWD go here.