JACKSON — Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks reports the 45th CWD positive of the 2024-25 deer season was detected in Benton County. Mississippi’s record for CWD positive detections in a season is 110 set last year.

A majority of the state’s 363 positives were detected in Marshall and Benton counties. The two counties make up 89.3 percent of Mississippi’s positives have been found. 

Since first detection in 2018, Benton County has reported 201 positives, Marshall County has 123, Alcorn County has nine positives, Tippah and Warren County have seven, Issaquena County has three, DeSotto, Panola and Tishimingo Counties have two positives. Tunica, Tate, Talahattchie, Pontotoc, Lafayette, Harrison and Claiborne Counties all have one positive. 

CWD is a 100 percent always fatal disease caused by an infectious prion. There is no known cure or vaccine for the disease. Deer can contract CWD by coming in contact with an infected deer, direct transmission, or in contact with a contaminated environment, indirect contact. 

Infected deer shed prions most often through bodily fluids and those prions persist in the environment. 

While there are no known cases of CWD in humans the Center for Disease Control recommends hunters test their deer and avoid eating meat of a CWD positive deer. 

MDWFP has a list of self-serve 24/7 sample drop-off coolers and a list of participating taxidermists on their website. Russ Walsh, Chief of Wildlife Staff, said hunters have submitted 3,980 samples this season at a MDWFP commission meeting in Oxford last Thursday. Lincoln County has submitted 762 samples since testing efforts began. 

“Many of our samples are coming from taxidermists.” Walsh said. “We appreciate the participation.”

More results could come in the next few weeks as the lab works through samples from the holiday break. With the rut activity picking up across south Mississippi there is a chance for more harvests and thus more samples.

Check back for more updates on Chronic Wasting Disease and other outdoor news.