JACKSON — One batch of Chronic Wasting Disease samples yielded 30 positives last week. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Deer Program confirmed the news Wednesday afternoon. 

A bulk of the positives came from Benton and Marshall Counties where the disease is most prevalent in Mississippi. One of the new positive detections came from Warren County. About 10 more positives were added to the MDWFP dashboard Thursday morning. 

Chronic Wasting Disease is a 100 percent always fatal disease found in deer. It is caused by an infectious prion which is shed through bodily fluids. Healthy deer can become infected by direct contact with a positive deer or indirect contact with prions in the environment. There is no known cure or vaccine. 

MDWFP set a record for CWD positive detections last hunting season with 110. As of noon Thursday, MDWFP has found 87 positive detections with no new counties. 

Since first detection in 2018, MDWFP has found 404 positives. Of those positives, 217 positives were in Benton County, 142 positives in Marshall County, 10 in Alcorn, 9 in Tippah, 8 in Warren, 3 in Isaaquena, Tishimingo and DeSotto Counties, two in Panola County and one in Claiborne, Harrison, Pontotoc, Tallahatchie, Tate and Tunica Counties. 

MDWFP is fighting the disease by surveillance through sampling to detect the disease in new locations and work to mitigate prevalence in areas. Hunter participation is crucial in fighting against CWD. Visit MDWFP.com to find 24/7 self serve coolers or participating taxidermists to submit samples.

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