Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is now in Lubbock County, Texas. An eight-and-a-half-year-old mule deer recently tested positive for the disease, making it the first for the county. Now, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is currently working with the Texas Animal Health Commission to determine a containment and surveillance zone within the area, according to the agency.

“Although a new CWD discovery is always concerning, it’s important to realize that CWD is still not widespread in Texas,” said John Silovsky, Wildlife Division Director for TPWD. “The years of work and vigilance by our staff and partners and the help of hunters and landowners, continue to be well worth the effort. It remains vital that we keep on task to protect our native deer, which are important for our outdoor heritage and the economy across our state.”

The CWD-positive deer was discovered during routine deer mortality surveillance and Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the disease presence.

TPWD plans to work with landowners, hunters and other agencies to keep CWD prevalence low and curb its spread. They will plan to hold public forums for the Buffalo Springs and Ransom Canyon communities to educate about CWD and share best management practices as well as ways to keep the disease in check.