First CWD Test Negative In Southeastern Minn.

PINE ISLAND, Minn. (AP) -- Testing for chronic wasting disease is off to a positive start: the latest tests on deer in southeastern Minnesota have turned up negative.

The Rochester Post-Bulletin reports more than 40 deer so far have tested negative for CWD. The Department of Natural Resources is giving permits to shoot the deer to landowners near Pine Island, where they hope to ultimately test 900 deer. A wild deer shot there last fall was recently found to have CWD. It was the state's first case of the disease in a wild deer.

The testing is designed to stop the spread of the fatal brain disease that affects deer, elk and moose.

The DNR plans to keep the public updated on its progress by holding weekly teleconferences.

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