The number of free-ranging deer in Pennsylvania found to have chronic wasting disease nearly doubled last year.

According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, since last year 123 deer have tested positive for the always fatal brain disease in deer and other members of the cervid family that some refer to as “zombie deer disease.”

With CWD testing from the 2018 deer seasons now completed, there now have been 250 CWD cases detected in free-ranging deer in Pennsylvania since 2012.

New CWD cases were detected in the following counties: Bedford (65), Blair (10), Cambria (2), Franklin (3), Fulton (33), Huntingdon (4), Jefferson (1), Juniata (1), Perry (1) and Somerset (3).

The commission responded to the increasing CWD in the state by expanding disease management areas 2 and 3.

After an expansion of 2,101 square miles, DMA 2 now covers more than 6,715 square miles, including all or parts of Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.

The expansion largely is due to the discovery of 2 new CWD cases in Juniata and Perry counties. Each of the cases was 20 miles or more away from the nearest previously documented case.

The commission noted that both deer were adults and one was displaying clinical symptoms of CWD at the time of death, which suggests CWD is established in the area and other deer in the area might already be infected.

CWD-infected deer, on average, do not display clinical symptoms of disease for 18 to 24 months. Symptoms include lowered head and ears, weight loss, excessive drooling, rough-hair coat, uncoordinated movements and, ultimately, death.

DMA 3 was expanded by 203 square miles and now covers more than 1,119 square miles in Armstrong, Clarion, Clearfield, Jefferson and Indiana counties due to the discovery of CWD in a captive deer facility in Clearfield County.

The deer farm will remain under quarantine for 5 years.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in February announced that a buck tested positive for CWD on a hunting preserve near Curwensville. Shortly after, the commission warned the public that the positive would push the DMA into the Pennsylvania Elk Range. However, subsequently the commission decided to keep DMA 3 south of Interstate 80 and out of the elk range.

Commission CWD Coordinator Jared Oyster explained, “If we would have extended the boundary into the elk range, it would have created several difficulties and risks, including the fact that elk hunters would not legally be able to transport their carcass to the mandatory check station, located in Benezette.

“Deer hunters within the DMA also would have been able to legally transport high-risk parts into a portion of the elk range, increasing the chance of CWD being introduced to that area. And, there were very few meat processors and taxidermists in that area to help.

“All of that said, we have plans to increase surveillance and collect additional CWD samples in the portion of the DMA bordering the elk range, so if it is present we can detect it as soon as possible.”

The state’s other disease management area, DMA 4, was established in February 2018 after the discovery of CWD in a deer farm in Lancaster County. No free-ranging deer have tested positive for CWD in DMA 4, which covers 364 square miles and in Berks, Lancaster and Lebanon counties.

Hunters are prohibited from exporting high-risk parts from DMAs. High-risk parts include the head (more specifically the brain, eyes, tonsils and lymph nodes); spinal cord/backbone; spleen; skull plate with attached antlers, if visible brain or spinal cord material is present; cape, if visible brain or spinal cord material is present; upper canine teeth, if root structure or other soft material is present; any object or article containing visible brain or spinal cord material; and brain-tanned hide.

CWD first was identified in Colorado in 1967. It since has been detected in 26 states and three Canadian provinces.

Misfolded proteins called prions are believed to be the cause of CWD. Prions are shed through saliva, urine and feces of infected animals.

There is no cure or treatment for CWD, and no test for it in living animals.

To date, it has not been found to infect humans, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people avoid eating meat from CWD-infected animals.

The Game Commission tested 9,631 free-ranging deer and 122 elk taken in the 2018 seasons for CWD. A total of 6,525 deer tested came from existing DMAs, with the remaining 3,106 deer tested from other areas in the state.

The number of free-ranging deer tested increased significantly, compared to the 7,910 deer tested in 2017.