Attention hunters… We may be on the verge of a CWD outbreak in Louisiana.

Five more cases of chronic wasting disease have been discovered in deer harvested in Tensas Parish. This comes after a second case of CWD was confirmed last month. State Wildlife Veterinarian Jim LaCour said the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is working on zeroing in on the outbreak. He says, “We’re getting more and more samples in a more and more concentrated area, and we’re kind of zeroing in on the main area of the CWD infection of deer in Louisiana.”

CWD is a neurodegenerative disease caused by an infectious, misfolded protein particle, and it is 100 percent fatal to deer after an indeterminate incubation period. Infected deer may show signs of weight loss, salivation, frequent drinking and urination, and a lack of fear of people. CWD has not been found to be contagious to humans, but the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization recommend against human consumption of deer known to be positive.

Testing is performed on the brainstem and lymph nodes of the head, meaning the head and five inches or more of the neck may be removed and submitted to the LDWF for testing, and hunters may remove the antlers and skull plate prior to testing if desired. LaCour said coolers will be placed throughout the CWD Control Area for hunters to submit samples, and testing results across the state will be posted on the LDWF website.