The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has reported the first-ever case of chronic wasting disease in Prentiss County.
Officials with the state agency confirmed positive test results for a hunter-harvested buck during the 2025 Velvet Season from the northeast Mississippi county.
Chronic wasting disease is a highly contagious and fatal ailment among deer populations that damages portions of the wild animal’s brain and typically causes progressive loss of body condition, behavioral changes, excessive salivation, and ultimately death.
Although the confirmation marked a new positive case for the county, Prentiss County was already included in the north Mississippi chronic wasting disease management zone.
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As a result, this detection does not require any changes to existing management zones or regulations. Since February 2018, 447 white-tailed deer have tested positive for the fatal disease across 18 counties.
Carcasses may not be transported outside of any chronic wasting disease management zone. Research has shown that decomposed carcasses of infected animals can also contribute to transmission when prions bind to soil and plant material. The movement of carcasses could introduce the disease. into previously uninfected areas.
Wildlife officials encourage all hunters to submit deer for testing. Hunters can submit deer for testing at established freezer locations or participating taxidermists.
