BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota wildlife officials say a deer found dead just south of Williston has tested positive for chronic wasting disease.
The whitetail was found in late February. Wildlife veterinarian Charlie Bahnson with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department said Tuesday the discovery means that chronic wasting disease is much farther south than the positive deer harvested last fall in Divide County.
The department says the deer found near Williston is the first documented case of a death due to CWD in North Dakota.
CWD is a fatal, neurological disease of deer, elk and moose.
Since 2009, 14 other deer have tested positive for CWD in North Dakota – 13 from Grant and Sioux counties and the one taken last fall in Divide County.