The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says between July 2020 and June 2021, the highest levels of chronic wasting disease were seen along the Illinois River in LaSalle and Grundy counties.
For the last six years, the IDNR says cases of chronic wasting disease in deer having been going up in LaSalle and Grundy counties. The department says since July 2020 and June 2021 the counties have had a combined prevalence of 8.9% which is double than the year before.
In one area of LaSalle County, deer had an 18.4% positive rate, which the IDNR says is the highest level of infection observed. In Grundy County where there was a 14.5% infection rate.
The IDNR says that more male deer harvested are carrying the disease. The department says it is a cause for concern.