Recent Chronic Wasting Disease Case Detected in Bexar County, Texas

The community of Bexar County is on high alert after a recent case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was confirmed in a free-range white-tailed deer in Hollywood Park. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is urging residents to be cautious around deer in the area as the disease can have devastating effects on cervid populations.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose, and other members of the deer family. The disease is slow-moving and can take several years for infected animals to show visible signs. Symptoms include weight loss, stumbling or tremors, loss of coordination, and changes in behavior.

In an effort to reduce overabundant deer populations, TPWD captured the positive deer in late January. Postmortem samples were analyzed by the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa.

While there have been no reported cases of humans contracting CWD through eating venison, TPWD advises hunters to test harvested cervid species for the disease and avoid consuming meat from infected animals. Early detection and proactive monitoring are key to preventing further spread of the disease.

This summer, TPWD will hold community meetings to discuss disease mitigation efforts, CWD zones, and how residents of Bexar County can protect themselves and local wildlife from the spread of CWD. Stay informed and stay safe around deer in the area.