Expert speaks at Viterbo of CWD and hunters’ responsibilities, as ban comes to La Crosse County

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is spreading throughout Wisconsin.

A confirmation in Chaseburg this year has created a baiting and feeding ban in La Crosse County.

Emerging Disease Coordinator Bryan Richards at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Madison spoke Wednesday at Viterbo University about CWD and its growing threat to elk and deer.

He said hunters need to be more proactive with donating their tags for testing

“Vernon County, last year, collected about 420 samples and picked up three positives,” Richards said. “So, from a statistical point of view, it gives me a lot more confidence that the chance of CWD is in Vernon County.”

Reinhardt says CWD generally stays in an area for awhile after it is confirmed and it also spreads quickly.

“As a community as a whole, we have a responsibility to do our best to try to minimize the impacts of this disease on behalf of those future generations,” Richards said.