JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) - State wildlife officials have expanded a management zone to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease.
The fatal disease affects cervids such as white-tailed deer, elk and mule deer. Currently, there is no evidence that CWD poses a risk for humans.
To date, 19 deer in Mississippi have been confirmed as CWD-positive. The most recent confirmations were deer from Panola and Tallahatchie counties.
In response, wildlife officials have expanded the management zone in north Mississippi. Another management zone affects some counties west of Jackson.
MORE: Which counties are in the zone?
Inside these zones, it’s unlawful to:
- Supplemental feed
- Establish new mineral sites or add supplements to existing sites
- Remove certain portions of cervid carcasses from the zone
- Trap wild hogs without a permit from MDWFP
Since Oct. 1, 2018, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has collected more than 7,600 samples for testing.