The prion disease that causes deer, elk and other cervids to waste away could someday jump to humans, but many hunters are not convinced they should worry

MANITOWOC – A deer in Manitowoc County has been identified to have chronic wasting disease, and authorities urge hunters to test any deer they have harvested. The positive test result is from a 1-year-old buck harvested Nov. 23 on private property, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on Tuesday confirmed a case of chronic wasting disease in the Hog Heaven Wildlife Mangement Unit east of Elmo.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, elk and moose. To date, the disease has also been detected in the following Michigan counties: Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Midland, Montcalm and Ogemaw.