LDWF Issues Declaration of Emergency in Response to CWD Detection in Concordia Parish

 LDWF Issues Declaration of Emergency in Response to CWD Detection in Concordia Parish

JANUARY 09 2026

CONSERVATION HUNTING PUBLIC AREA AND FACILITIES

Trey Iles Baton Rouge

A Declaration of Emergency (DE) has been issued by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Tyler Bosworth in response to a recently confirmed Chronic Wasting Disease detection in a hunter-harvested white-tailed buck in Concordia Parish on Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in December.

The DE includes all of Catahoula and Concordia parishes and portions of Avoyelles, LaSalle, Pointe Coupee and Rapides parishes. The existing CWD control area is being expanded to include these new areas.

The DE restricts baiting and feeding within the CWD Control Area. The portions of the CWD Control Area referred to as the Enhanced Mitigation Zone and Buffer Zone include varying restrictions on bait. While baiting and feeding will be prohibited within the Enhanced Mitigation Zone, baiting would be allowed within the CWD Buffer Zone through methods explained in the DE. The baiting and feeding restrictions will become effective Feb.1, 2026. In addition, deer carcass transport rules are included that prohibit the export of certain deer parts. Click here to see the full DE and map.

LDWF has also implemented its CWD Response Plan and will continue ongoing CWD surveillance efforts in the area. The DE is effective for 180 days, subject to ratification of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. A NOI will be introduced to promulgate permanent rules for the CWD control area while this DE is in effect. After final approval by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC), the NOI would replace the DE that is in effect.

The 3.5-year-old buck was voluntarily submitted for sampling and later confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. The detection is the first confirmed CWD positive in Concordia Parish.

The first CWD-positive deer was detected in Louisiana in 2022. At present, 49 CWD-positive deer have been detected, which include a single detection in both Catahoula and Concordia parishes, with the remaining detections from Tensas Parish.

There is no statewide feeding ban included in the DE.

CWD is infectious, always fatal, and has no treatment. CWD is part of a group of diseases know as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). These diseases cause irreversible damage to brain tissue in deer, which leads to excessive salivation, neurological symptoms, emaciation, and death of the animal. Additionally, CWD is shed by infected deer onto the landscape and can persist in the environment indefinitely, spreading the disease to other deer. Emergency action is required to mitigate further spread of the disease.

Although CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend against the human consumption of deer known to be infected with CWD. Also, it is recommended that people hunting in areas known to harbor CWD-

infected deer have their deer tested for the disease prior to consuming the animals. LDWF will provide testing for hunter-harvested deer free of charge.

For more information and control area maps on CWD, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd

https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/ldwf-issues-declaration-of-emergency-in-response-to-cwd-detection-in-concordia-parish

CWD Case Confirmed in a White-tailed Deer in Concordia Parish, LDWF Announces

JANUARY062026

CONSERVATION

HUNTING

PUBLIC AREA AND FACILITIES

Trey Iles Baton Rouge

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been confirmed in a hunter-harvested white-tailed buck in Concordia Parish, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. The buck was harvested on Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and is the first CWD detection in a wild deer in Concordia Parish.

CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022. The latest positive brings the total number of CWD detections for Louisiana to 49.

Initial diagnostics by the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LADDL) detected CWD prions in tissue samples submitted by LDWF. Per required protocol, LADDL forwarded the sample to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa where it has been confirmed. Due to the confirmed detection during the ongoing deer season, hunters are encouraged to submit additional hunter-harvest samples for testing. A CWD sample drop-off site is located along Highway 15 near the northern boundary of Richard K. Yancey WMA.

To obtain viable samples for testing, a fresh head including a few inches of neck is required. Data submission cards and bags are available on site. Once completed, the bagged deer head and data card should be placed in the available cooler at the CWD drop-off site.

LDWF is currently in the process of implementing the LDWF CWD response plan. More information regarding the response plan and intended mitigation efforts for this area will be forthcoming. “We will continue to count on our hunters, property owners, deer processors and taxidermists for their assistance in monitoring CWD as their continued partnership with our department will help manage the expanse of CWD in the state keeping our deer population healthy,’’ LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth said.

CWD is a neurodegenerative disease of White-tailed deer and other members of the Cervidae family. The disease is caused by a prion, an infectious, misfolded protein particle, and is 100-percent fatal in affected deer after an indeterminate incubation period. There is no treatment or preventative vaccine for CWD. CWD-infected deer may exhibit symptoms of weight loss and emaciation, salivation, frequent drinking and urination, incoordination, circling, lack of human fear, and subsequent death of the animal.

Although CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend against the human consumption of deer known to be infected with CWD. Also, it is recommended that people hunting in areas known to harbor CWD-infected deer have their deer tested for the disease prior to consumption. LDWF provides CWD testing for hunter-harvested deer free of charge.

For more information on CWD, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd. Questions can be addressed to Dr. Jonathan Roberts at jroberts@wlf.la.gov or Johnathan Bordelon at jbordelon@wlf.la.gov

https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/cwd-case-confirmed-in-a-whitetailed-deer-in-concordia-parish-ldwf-announces

Louisiana 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 (𝗖𝗪𝗗) since 2022 there have been 𝟰𝟬 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀

𝗙𝗬𝗜: 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 (𝗖𝗪𝗗) 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal, infectious neurological disease found in deer, elk, moose, and other cervids. First detected in Louisiana in 2022, there have been 𝟰𝟬 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 statewide.

📍 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗪𝗗 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮: Portions of Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, La Salle, Madison, Ouachita, Richland, and all of Tensas parishes.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗪𝗗 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀: ▪ 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗯𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 apply.

▪ 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 is limited: only deboned meat, cut/wrapped meat, quarters with no head/spinal cord, antlers/clean skull plates, tanned hides, finished mounts, cleaned teeth, and capes may be transported.

▪ 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 for all deer harvested in the area, which is free through LDWF.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗪𝗗 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀: contact a Wildlife Field Office or call 𝟴𝟬𝟬.𝟰𝟰𝟮.𝟮𝟱𝟭𝟭 outside working hours.

⚠️ While CWD is 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀, the CDC and WHO advise against eating infected deer. 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗪𝗗 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀.

For more info, visit: https://buff.ly/pP0ka5b

2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-2025 Total - all years

Tensas 1 12 9 17 39

Catahoula 0 0 0 1 1

Statewide Total 1 12 9 18 40

https://buff.ly/pP0ka5b

Captive CWD

Updated August 2025 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CASES

12/11/2024 1.5 YR Female LA St. Landry WTD Breeder No No <20 Quarantine

12/11/2024 2 YR Female LA Concordia WTD Hunt No No 60 Quarantine

12/11/2024 2 YR Female LA Tangipahoa WTD Breeder No No ukn Quarantine

11/7/2024 1.5 YR Male LA Jefferson Davis WTD Breeder Yes Yes 59 Depopulated

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/status-of-captive-herds.pdf

Louisiana House of Representative Aug 27, 9:30 AM, HCR-6 CWD

Louisiana House of Representative

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD

(A letter written from a Mississippi farmer who’s farm has been in his family for more than 100 years, and submitted it in this video presentation, 28 minute mark, another wake up call for sure, of what some have been warning for years, about CWD, but sadly will go by the wayside by the conspiracy theorists spreading fake news…terry)

Alston Ross

Marshall County, Mississippi

My family owns a 2,000 acre farm in Marshall County, which is in North Mississippi. CWD has plagued my farm since 2018 and has become progressively worse over time. We no longer have mature deer over the age of 3 years old on our property. Every buck harvested on our land has tested positive this year. The owners of our neighboring properties have continued to feed deer and ignore MDWFP regulations, which has exacerbated the spread of the disease throughout our area. This farm has been in my family for over 100 years, and due to the rapid spread of CWD, we are concerned about the future of our deer herd and the value of our hunting land…end

Snip…

Arkansas

Snip…

40:35 “…and conversely, I was co-Principle Investigator in NW Arkansas, where prevalence is approaching 50 percent.”

Snip…

41:00 “Specific to the work in Arkansas, in 2020, the state agency was showing the Prevalence at 30 percent in the Northwest part of the State, so flip a coin, so, 1 out of every 3 deer had the disease. We started that research in 2020, and now, the prevalence rate is now exceeding 40% in both sexes, and 50% in males.”

43:00 “what we’re seeing Arkansas now is, that population is declining about 11% a year.”

Snip…see full video presentation;

https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/VideoArchivePlayer?v=house/2025/Aug/0827_25_NR_Joint

Three Additional CWD Positive Deer Found in Captive Pens, LDWF Announces

FEBRUARY 05 2025

CONSERVATION HUNTING PUBLIC AREA AND FACILITIES Trey Iles Baton Rouge

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is alerting the public of three additional chronic wasting disease (CWD) positive captive deer in pens permitted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF). The recent detections in Concordia, St. Landry and Tangipahoa parishes are linked to trace outs from a captive CWD positive deer pen in Jefferson Davis Parish, where CWD was first confirmed in a captive deer back in November. In addition to the recent detections, deer from the CWD positive pens have been traced to permitted pens in 11 other parishes. No other positives have been confirmed at this time.

The newly confirmed captive CWD positives and trace outs were announced by LDAF, which oversees and manages Louisiana’s captive deer program. LDWF will continue to work with LDAF to manage and mitigate impacts of CWD within Louisiana.

The recent captive CWD detections has prompted concern due to potential spillover into the wild deer population. At this time, the disease has not been detected in the wild population in any of the parishes with CWD positive deer pens and associated trace outs. Prevention is paramount in combatting this disease. Hunters can play a vital role in reporting CWD suspect deer. Hunters where deer season is still in progress can contact the nearest LDWF Field Office for sample testing information. In addition, CWD sample drop off locations are available in Concordia Parish. Contact information and locations is as follows:

Hammond Office 985-543-4777 42371 Phyllis Ann Drive, Hammond; Lafayette Office 337-262-2080 200 Dulles Drive, Lafayette; Lake Charles Office 337-491-2575 1025 Tom Watson Road, Lake Charles; Minden Office 318-371-3050 9961 Highway 80, Minden; Monroe Office 318-343-4044368Century Link Drive, Monroe; Pineville Office 318-487-5885 1995 Shreveport Highway, Pineville. CWD Drop Off Cooler: Richard K. Yancey WMA, 21 mi. South of Vidalia on LA 15.

CWD Drop Off Cooler: 2201 E.E. Wallace Blvd., Ferriday, LA 71334 CWD surveillance of harvested deer from these areas will be critical in understanding whether or not the native wild herd has been exposed. Early detection is crucial to slowing the spread of the disease. LDWF has conducted statewide surveillance of free-ranging deer since 2002. To date, the only CWD detections in the wild have been collected in Tensas Parish. CWD is a neurodegenerative disease of white-tailed deer and other members of the family Cervidae. It is caused by a prion, an infectious, misfolded protein particle, and is 100% fatal in affected deer after an indeterminate incubation period. There is no treatment or preventative vaccine for CWD.

CWD-infected deer may exhibit signs of weight loss and emaciation, excessive salivation, frequent drinking and urination, incoordination, circling and lack of fear of people and always results in death of the animal. Although CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend against the human consumption of deer known to be infected with CWD. Also, it is recommended that people hunting in areas known to harbor CWD-infected deer have their deer tested for the disease prior to consuming the animals.

Detailed instructions and more information can be found at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd-testing.

For more information on CWD, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cwd. For questions or more information, contact the nearest LDWF Field Office or LDWF Deer Program. jbordelon@wlf.la.gov

Three Additional CWD Positive Deer Found in Captive Pens, LDWF Announces

FEBRUARY 05 2025

https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/three-additional-cwd-positive-deer-found-in-captive-pens-ldwf-announces

Chronic Wasting Disease found in farm-raised white-tailed deer in Jefferson Davis Parish

Press release

For immediate release: November 15, 2024

Chronic Wasting Disease Update - January 2, 2025

Following the analysis of movement records from the positive case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Jefferson Davis Parish and subsequent testing, the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LADDL) has confirmed to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Office of the State Veterinarian three positive cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The cases were confirmed at a deer farm in each of the following parishes: Tangipahoa Parish, St. Landry, and Concordia Parish.

These farms, which also participate in the state deer program, have been issued a quarantine restricting movement into or out of the facility, including live deer or deer products.

For more information on CWD, visit https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/chronic-wasting-disease. For updates on the distribution of CWD, visit

https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/expanding-distribution-chronic-wasting-disease.

On November 7, LSU Diagnostics (Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory), in coordination with the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), confirmed to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Office of the State Veterinarian a positive Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) test from a deceased deer at a deer farm in Jefferson Davis Parish. The farm, a participant in the USDA CWD Voluntary Herd Certification Program administered by LDAF, has been issued a quarantine restricting movement into or out of the facility, including live deer or deer products, and a 25-mile radius surveillance zone has been activated.

Chronic Wasting Disease is a neurological disease that fatally infects white-tailed deer, elk, and moose and poses a serious threat to wild populations.

While CWD is not known to infect people, the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend against eating meat from infected animals.

The Office of the State Veterinarian has established a surveillance zone for herds near the affected deer farm and is diligently reviewing recent movement records. All deer farms in the surveillance zone are under restricted movement until further notice.

CWD cases have been identified in 34 US states, 5 Canadian provinces, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and South Korea. Signs of the disease include weight loss, uncoordinated movement, listlessness, excessive thirst or urination, drooling, drooping ears, and behavioral changes.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has conducted statewide surveillance of free-ranging deer since 2002. To date, the only CWD detections in the wild have been collected in Tensas Parish.

For more information, contact Jennifer Finley at PressSecretary@ldaf.state.la.us or visit www.ldaf.la.gov.

https://www.ldaf.la.gov/about/news/article/chronic-wasting-disease-found-in-farm-raised-white-tailed-deer-in-jefferson

https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/louisiana-department-of-agriculture-and-forestry-confirms-cwd-found-in-farmraised-whitetailed-deer-in-jefferson-davis-parish

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 05, 2025

Louisiana CWD Task Force Update, Catahoula Parish positive brings total CWD detections for Louisiana to 40, September 2025

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/09/louisiana-cwd-task-force-update.html

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025

Louisiana Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Update January 16 2025

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/01/louisiana-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd.html

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023

Louisiana LDWF Eleven Deer Tested Positive for CWD During 2022-23 Hunting Season

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2023/04/louisiana-ldwf-eleven-deer-tested.html

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023

Louisiana LDWF: Five Additional Suspected Cases Of CWD Discovered In Tensas Parish

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2023/01/louisiana-ldwf-five-additional.html

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2022

Louisiana Declaration of Emergency order, Deer Feeding and Carcass Export Ban in Tensas, Franklin and Madison Parishes Due to CWD, LDWF Announces

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2022/02/louisiana-declaration-of-emergency.html

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2022

Louisiana Suspect CWD Case Found in a White-tailed Deer in Tensas Parish

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2022/02/louisiana-suspect-cwd-case-found-in.html

https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/VideoArchivePlayer?v=house/2025/Aug/0827_25_NR_Joint

CWD Action Plan National Program 103 Animal Health 2022-2027 UPDATE JANUARY 2026

https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/189/action-national-program-animal-health

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/01/cwd-action-plan-national-program-103.html

ARS Research Elucidating the Pathobiology and Transmission of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies 2025 Annual Report

https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2025/12/ars-research-elucidating-pathobiology.html

******> SEE UPDATED SCIENCE CWD VS SCRAPIE

SCRAPIE TSE Prion USA RAPID RESPONSE URGENT UPDATES DECEMBER 25, 2025

https://scrapie-usa.blogspot.com/2025/12/scrapie-tse-prion-usa-rapid-response.html

https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/186/scrapie-prion-response-urgent-updates

APHIS USDA Captive CWD Herds Update by State December 2025 Update

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/status-of-captive-herds.pdf

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/12/aphis-usda-captive-cwd-herds-update-by.html

https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/187/aphis-captive-herds-update-december

CWD CONSPIRATEERS, “it’s just a money grab”…yup, they call it Indemnity!

2026 USDA EXPLANATORY NOTES, APHIS, CWD, BSE, Scrapie, TSE, Prion

https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2025/12/2026-usda-explanatory-notes-aphis-cwd.html

Deer don’t die from CWD, it’s the insurance companies, or it's a Government conspiracy?

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/02/deer-dont-die-from-cwd-its-insurance.html

CWD, Unforeseen Circumstances, Friendly Fire, zoonosis, what next?

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2025/04/cwd-tse-prion-politics-friendly-fire.html

https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/192/tpwd-commission-agenda-january-detection

https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/01/tpwd-chronic-wasting-disease-detection.html

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a review

https://creutzfeldt-jakob-disease.blogspot.com/2026/01/neuropsychiatric-symptoms-in-sporadic.html

https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/191/neuropsychiatric-symptoms-sporadic-cjd-review

terry