FRANKFORT, Ky. (WSMV) – Kentucky officials have launched an investigation after a deceased deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) from a Breckinridge County deer farm.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is investigating after the Kentucky Department of Agriculture announced the confirmed case of CWD.

This marks Kentucky’s first case of CWD in a captive cervid; it’s also the second confirmed case in the state’s history.

So, what is CWD?

“Chronic Wasting Disease is caused by abnormal proteins called prions and it affects white-tailed deer, elk, and other animals in the deer family. There is no known cure or vaccine, and the disease is always fatal in infected animals. The disease is not known to be transmissible to people, but as a precaution the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends not consuming meat from deer that test positive for the disease. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife always recommends not consuming meat taken from animals that appear to be sick or in poor condition,” the state said.

What happens now?

The state Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine restricting movement into or out of the Breckinridge County facility, including live deer or deer products.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials are in close communication with national, state and local partners and will reference the agency’s CWD Response Plan in response to this new detection.