LITTLE ROCK (KFSM) — Chronic Wasting Disease is spreading, with two deer in Madison and Pope Counties testing positive for the fatal disease.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission received confirmation that two deer tested positive during their second phase of CWD sampling, according to a department release. Both deer were hit by vehicles and then reported by the public for testing.
The Madison County deer, a 2 1/2-year-old doe, was found near Kingston, the release states. The Pope County deer was a 2 1/2-year-old buck that was found near London.
The release states the two deer came from a batch of 131 samples that were sent to the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. So far, 674 animals have been tested for the disease since the first case was confirmed in an Arkansas elk in February.
Including the sampled area, the AGFC has now received results of 84 animals with the disease.
After the initial phase of CWD sampling showed the disease was prevalent, the AGFC expanded their sampling area to a statewide collection of sick or dead deer and elk. This second sampling phase will continue through May 20.
