East Central Reporter

Adam Niemerg, representative for Illinois' 102nd State House District, announced on Facebook that chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in more counties across Illinois. He cautioned against consuming deer meat from animals known to have succumbed to the disease.

"Chronic wasting disease has now been detected in another four counties, bringing the total to 25 including Marshall County in our area," said Adam M. Niemerg, State Representative for 102nd District (R), according to Facebook. "CWD is an always fatal disease that impacts Illinois' deer population. Experts recommend not eating deer meat from deer known to have died from this disease."

Chronic Wasting Disease is a progressive and invariably fatal neurological disorder caused by an infectious protein affecting deer, moose, caribou, and elk. According to scientific sources, signs of advanced CWD include a lack of fear, walking with heads down, difficulty moving, loss of balance, and progressive weight loss. The disease is transmitted through contaminated environments when animals consume infected grass and plants or through direct contact involving saliva, feces, urine, or mucus contaminated with prions.

Screenshot of State Representative Adam NIemerg's April 14 Facebook post | State Representative Adam Niemerg's Facebook page.

Niemerg's Facebook post referenced an April 11 report from WAND News detailing the detection of CWD in Putnam, Marshall, Adams, and Peoria counties. Since 2002, the disease has been identified in 25 counties across northern Illinois and as far south as Adams County. The WAND report indicated that CWD was confirmed in Putnam, Marshall, and Adams counties in February from hunter-harvested deer. In Peoria County, it was detected in a 2-year-old deer showing signs of infection.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has implemented CWD season sampling vendors and head drop-off locations statewide. According to IDNR's 2024-2025 Archery, Firearm, Muzzleloader, and Late-Winter/CWD Season Sampling PDF guidebook for hunters suggests waiting two to four weeks for test results after submitting samples or deer heads for testing. If a deer tests positive for CWD, the hunter will be notified by an IDNR wildlife biologist.

Niemerg represents Illinois’ 102nd District after previously serving the 109th District. A native of Teutopolis with academic credentials from Eastern Illinois University and Lake Land College; he also brings professional experience as a senior claims adjuster with Country Financial.