KALISPELL — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a public meeting in Libby next month to discuss chronic wasting disease and review response efforts.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m on Jan. 13, 2020, in Libby City Hall's Ponderosa Room.
CWD is a progressive, fatal disease affecting the nervous system of mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk and moose.
The FWP staff will present information on CWD sampling and surveillance from the general hunting season.
They have collected more than 1,205 samples in Libby and an additional 207 at its Region 1 headquarters.
Statewide, more than 6,800 samples have been collected since spring.
In the Libby CWD Management Zone, one mule deer and 48 white-tailed deer have been tested positive.
A moose just outside the Libby CWD Management Zone was also confirmed positive for CWD. More information will be presented at the upcoming meeting in Libby.
There is no known transmission of CWD to humans or other animals, including pets or livestock.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that hunters harvesting a deer, elk, or moose from an area where CWD is known to be present have their animals tested for CWD prior to consuming the meat.
It is also advised to not consume the meat if the animal tests positive. For more information, visit their website.
