• Courtesy photo: Michigan Department of Natural Resources

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Chronic Wasting Disease otherwise known as CWD was detected in deer in Meridian Township earlier this year. Since then multiple tests were run to see if the disease is still spreading in the Township.

The first case of Chronic Wasting disease was found in Haslett in a free ranging white-tailed deer. Since finding the case in late May, there have been two other cases one in June and one in July.

1,171 deer have been tested and they have all been negative except the three previously mentioned. Deer season is here and November 15th begins fire arm season which means more deer to test for CWD.

"Since then we tested a lot of deer in what we call the core area, that nine township area that's basically a ten mile radius around where that first positive deep was found," said Stephen M. Schmitt, D.V.M. Supervisor, Wildlife Health Section.

During the Hunting season, the Wildlife Health Section are expecting to get around 3,000 deer allowing them to get a good look at how many positive deer there are. Going forward the large sample will help to get answers in late December.

The Township is also conducting their archery only managed deer harvest to assist the DNR with stopping the spread of CWD. So far, 11 deer have been harvested through that program.