Deer test positive for disease at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — During recent white-tailed deer reduction operations and subsequent disease sampling at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, two deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

Both animals were from the Jefferson County portion of the park. This is the first CWD-positive detection at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

Two nearby national parks in Maryland — Antietam and Monocacy national battlefields — also recently received their first CWD-positive test results earlier this year.

Harpers Ferry and other national parks in the area reduce deer populations to protect and restore native plants, promote healthy and diverse forests, and preserve historic landscapes.

More: Deer test positive for chronic wasting disease in Antietam National Battlefield

Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia national parks conducting deer reduction operations participate in CWD monitoring programs for wildlife health. Until this year, all results for these parks had been negative.

There is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans. However, it is recommended that tissues from CWD-infected animals not be eaten. The venison from the deer that tested positive for CWD was destroyed.

Always keep a safe distance from wildlife and avoid touching or handling dead or sick wild animals. Some disease-causing organisms can be passed between wild animals and people.

National Park Service employees trained in wildlife health use specific protective measures to safely deal with a wild animal that may have died of disease.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Deer test positive for disease at Harpers Ferry national park