Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was not found in samples taken from hunter-killed deer during the state's 2011 hunting season, according to Dr. Walt Cottrell, state Game Commission wildlife veterinarian.
In 2011, 3,766 samples from hunter-killed deer were tested, and CWD was not detected. This marked the 10th year for testing hunter-killed deer.
CWD is a brain and nervous system disease that has been found in deer, elk and moose in Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming and parts of Canada.
So far, there is no evidence that CWD affects humans, but it is fatal for deer, elk and moose.
In total, nearly 35,000 deer and elk have been tested in Pennsylvania. CWD was not detected in any samples from previous years.
Results showing that the CWD tests of hunter-killed elk from 2011 were all negative were announced on Feb. 14.
"We are pleased to report that Pennsylvania continues to have no confirmed or suspected cases of CWD in wild deer or elk," Cottrell said. "By conducting these tests from hunter-killed deer and on all hunter-killed elk, we continue our efforts to find the disease in wild deer and elk in the state."
"Although CWD has not been found in Pennsylvania, we must continue to be vigilant in our CWD surveillance efforts," Cottrell said.
