State confirms 6th deer with Chronic Wasting Disease in Oklahoma
TEXAS COUNTY, Okla. (KOKH) — As hunters prepare for deer season, state leaders are warning them about Chronic Wasting Disease.
On Wednesday, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation announced that a white-tailed deer located about two miles south of Optima has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease.
The 3.5-year-old buck was extremely emaciated and had lost all fear of people.
“We will be working through our response plan, and our ultimate goal is to ensure healthy and well-managed deer with as little impact to either the resource or our constituents as possible,” said Joey McAllister, Wildlife Programs Supervisor with ODWC.
Department leaders say they will create a Selective Surveillance Area where the deer was located.
Officials say this is the sixth case of CWD confirmed in an Oklahoma wild deer since the first case was discovered in 2023.
CWD is an always fatal neurological disease that affects the brains of deer, elk, moose, and other members of the cervid family. Experts say the disease creates small holes in the brain, making them resemble sponges.
There has never been a documented case where Chronic Wasting Disease has been transmitted between wild animals and humans or livestock.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation says it will propose rules for the Chronic Wasting Disease Genetic Improvement Act.
Following the public comment period from Oct. 1 through Nov. 6, proposed rules will be presented to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission for a vote.
If approved, the rules will then go to the Oklahoma Legislature in February 2027.
Public comments are being accepted online.