Mississippi seeks source of disease that killed buck

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Tests on deer carcasses collected in Mississippi don’t show any signs of the fatal infectious disease that was recently confirmed in a dead buck.

Investigators still don’t know where the 4½-year-old buck contracted chronic wasting disease, Russ Walsh, executive director for wildlife in Mississippi’s Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks said in a video posted Tuesday on the department’s website.

He said genetic tests show the buck found Jan. 25 was local and therefore was infected by a local source. Testing is continuing on other deer reported sick or dead, including roadkill, he said.

The tests on 64 deer found sick or dead within 5 miles (8 kilometers) of the buck came back Monday, he said.

“We’ve sent off multiple other samples,” he said.

To avert or delay the infection’s spread across state lines, Louisiana has banned supplemental deer feeding in East Carroll, Madison and Tensas parishes — those nearest to Issaquena County, where the buck was found about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the state line.

Hunters in those parishes cannot bait feral hog traps with rice bran, non-fermented or whole cracked corn, soybeans, protein pellets and commercial feeds formulated for deer because of the ban, which took effect Monday. They can still use bait not normally eaten by deer, according to a news release emailed Tuesday.

Alabama forbids importation of deer carcasses from any of the 25 states where the disease has been confirmed. Hunters can still bring in deboned meat, tanned hides, and cleaned skulls with antlers and teeth.

The neurological disease typically causes deer, elk and moose to have tremors and other movement problems and lose weight. It is part of a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and is similar to bovine spongiform encephalopathy — mad cow disease — in cattle and scrapie in sheep.

The disease was already present among deer in Arkansas and 23 other states.

Mississippi banned import of dead deer carcasses from affected areas last year in hopes of keeping out the disease.

It banned supplemental feeding in Claiborne, Hinds, Issaquena, Sharkey, Warren and Yazoo counties after the disease was confirmed.

More Stories

Alabama’s road conditions ranked second best in the United States

More Stories

Gov. Ivey commutes death sentence for 1991 Decatur murder prisoner

More Stories

42nd Alabama State Games registration opens

More Stories

Alabama Republican Party re-elects John Wahl as Chairman

More Stories

Warning siren failure in Limestone County

News

‘Great things ahead’: Mayor Marks shares insights on city’s future in annual address

More Stories

Grammy-nominated singer Angie Stone dies in Montgomery car crash

More Stories

Limestone County outdoor warning sirens malfunctioning

News

Melson disputes patient’s version of conversation regarding purchasing medical cannabis ‘off the street’

More Stories

Homeland Security recognizes ALEA as Partner of the Year

More Stories

Athens earns 2024 Tree City USA recognition from Arbor Day Foundation

More Stories

Teacher of the Year: Anna Thompson

News

‘Justice was served’: Limestone County jury finds Morgan County man guilty of murder after 10-day trial

News

Brookyln’s brave battle: The inspiring journey of a local kids life with spinal muscular atrophy

More Stories

Teacher of the Year: Jennie Fullmer

More Stories

Teacher of the Year: Kaitlin Sparkman

More Stories

Ardmore welcomes new family medicine center

More Stories

Hit and run claims life of Athens man

More Stories

LCSO arrest Athens man for infant abuse

News

Final Curtain Call: Beloved Band Director Dan Havely passes away

News

Calhoun Community College to go virtual due to impending weather

News

Gov. Ivey announces that ArcelorMittal plans $1.2 Billion Alabama mill

More Stories

U.S. Space and Rocket Center announces passing of Maria von Braun, wife of Dr. Wernher von Braun

Lifestyles

Athens Cheer heads to Orlando to compete for national titles