CWD Found in Michigan Deer

I am on the verge of tears as I write this. It's late and I'm not sure what's going to come of this but a Michigan deer has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. I suppose it was inevitable given that neighboring states have the disease. And it hasn't been found in a wild deer - a captive cervid tested positive. But isn't it only a matter of time before a wild deer is found? Michigan's hunting heritage, its proud hunting tradition is at stake. I don't know how to put a positive spin on this. I don't have any funny stories. I don't have any happiness to spread. Quite simply, I feel like my worst nightmare has been realized. Will update more when I have it. Below is the official statement from the Michigan DNR.

Tony Hansen, Hurting Michigan Man

LANSING - The Michigan departments of Agriculture (MDA) and NaturalResources (DNR) today confirmed the state’s first case of ChronicWasting Disease (CWD) in a three-year old white-tailed deer from a privately owned cervid (POC) facility in Kent County. The state has quarantined all POC facilities, prohibiting the movementof all - dead or alive - privately-owned deer, elk or moose. Officials do not yet know how the deer may have contracted the disease. To date, there is no evidence that CWD presents a risk to humans. DNR and MDA staff are currently reviewing records from the Kent County facility and five others to trace deer that have been purchased, sold or moved by the owners in the last five years for deer and the last seven years for elk. Any deer that may have come in contact with the CWD-positive herd have been traced to their current location and those facilities have been quarantined. "Michigan’s veterinarians and wildlife experts have been working throughout the weekend to complete their investigation," said DonKoivisto, MDA director. "We take this disease very seriously, and are using every resource available to us to implement response measures and stop the spread of this disease."