Wildlife Health Program





ABOUT THE WILDLIFE HEALTH PROGRAM


Through the Wildlife Health Program , Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is dedicated to safeguarding the health of Kentucky's wildlife and fostering resilient ecosystems that support the well-being of both wildlife and people for generations to come.


WILDLIFE HEALTH NEWS

NEWS RELEASE: Chronic Wasting Disease detected in Ballard County wild deer

(Jan. 7, 2026) The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has confirmed a new case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a wild deer in Ballard County. This is the third case of CWD confirmed in Kentucky’s wild deer population, and the second case in Ballard County.

[Read More]

(December 19, 2025) The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources would like to remind the public of the ongoing presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Kentucky...

[Read More About HPAI]

(Dec. 05, 2025) New Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance measures are now in effect for multiple Kentucky counties...

[Read More]

(Nov. 12, 2025) Officials have scheduled a public meeting in Pulaski County to discuss Chronic Wasting Disease...

[Read More]


REPORT SICK OR DEAD WILDLIFE

CALL Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549.
CONTACT your county’s regional biologist.
SUBMIT observations online.

PUBLICATIONS


Newsletter  

WILDLIFE HEALTH PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
Spring 2025

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WILDLIFE DISEASE WATCH

Field with tall grass

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE

A fatal neurologic disease affecting white-tailed deer, elk, and other cervids.

Avian Influenza

AVIAN INFLUENZA

An infectious viral disease affecting wild and domestic birds.

Echinococcus multilocularis

E. MULTILOCULARIS

A zoonotic tapeworm affecting wild and domestic canids.

MORE WILDLIFE DISEASES


 
 
Blacklegged tick on vegetation

TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES

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Photo: Blacklegged tick, CDC

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