After deer hunts in Wisconsin this year, chronic wasting disease will be identified faster because The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has adopted a new test that is more accurate and quicker to complete.
The test, called the IDEXX, identifies the causing agent of CWD in lymph nodes from deer's frozen tissue samples. It was chosen out of five tests developed in the past year.
Because of concern that arose after last year's outbreak of CWD among wild deer, at least 20,000 publicly hunted deer will undergo the new test this year.
The previous test, called immunohistochemistry, required much more time and effort than current tests, but was used on over 35,000 deer because it was the only test proven to be safe at the time.
The laboratory cannot use the test until the U.S. Department of Agriculture approves it, which will most likely happen this November.
While many private hunters are also requesting testing for CWD, no evidence exists that proves humans can contract it.
