The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has released a report (PDF) detailing coordinated efforts of state and federal agencies and Pennsylvania research institutions to combat chronic wasting disease (CWD), a contagious, fatal disease that threatens deer.

The report offers advice hunters and others can follow to minimize risks, and links to key disease-prevention resources.

“As a member of the CWD Task Force, the DCNR is committed to working with other agencies and stakeholders to combat the spread of CWD through public education and outreach, effective deer management strategies, increased testing and other public policy initiatives based on sound science,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Although there is still work to be done, DCNR applauds the administration’s leadership and efforts of the collective agencies to prevent the further spread of this disease.”

DCNR has created a Chronic Wasting Disease in State Forests fact sheet (PDF) to provide additional information.

Additional resources and information about chronic wasting disease for hunters is available at the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pa. Department of Agriculture websites.