Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated April 11, 2025.
What causes chronic wasting disease?
Chronic wasting disease is caused by a misfolded protein called a prion. All mammals produce normal prions that are used by cells, then degraded and eliminated, or recycled, within the body. When disease-associated prions contact normal prions, they cause them to refold into their own abnormal shape. These disease-associated prions are not readily broken down and tend to accumulate in--and damage--lymphatic and neural tissues, including the brain.
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What is chronic wasting disease?
What are the visual signs of chronic wasting disease?
What should I do if I find sick or dead wildlife?

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated April 11, 2025.

USGS Research Biologist Nathan Johnson’s son Bryce harvests his first white-tailed deer on private property near High Springs, Florida.
USGS Research Biologist Nathan Johnson’s son Bryce harvests his first white-tailed deer on private property near High Springs, Florida.
The disease affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. Chronic wasting disease is contagious and has been detected in 26 states. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal contagious neurological disease that affects free-ranging and captive cervids (members of the deer family) such as elk, moose, white-tailed deer, and mule deer.
The disease affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. Chronic wasting disease is contagious and has been detected in 26 states. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal contagious neurological disease that affects free-ranging and captive cervids (members of the deer family) such as elk, moose, white-tailed deer, and mule deer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
NPS image by Adams. A mule deer stands at the side of a road at Grand Teton National Park.
NPS image by Adams. A mule deer stands at the side of a road at Grand Teton National Park.
A female mule deer, called a doe, forages near the Caverns of Sonora in Texas.
A female mule deer, called a doe, forages near the Caverns of Sonora in Texas.
A bull elk with chronic wasting disease at Wind Cave National Park. The emaciated appearance and drooping ears are characteristic of latter stages of infection.
A bull elk with chronic wasting disease at Wind Cave National Park. The emaciated appearance and drooping ears are characteristic of latter stages of infection.
Zoonotic diseases are those that are spread between wildlife and humans, and are an increasing health threat in the U.S. and throughout the world. As such diseases emerge, scientists with the U.S.
Zoonotic diseases are those that are spread between wildlife and humans, and are an increasing health threat in the U.S. and throughout the world. As such diseases emerge, scientists with the U.S.
Potential effects of chronic wasting disease and supplemental feeding on elk populations in Wyoming
A partnership between the USGS and the Klamath Tribes to apply structured decision making for chronic wasting disease management
U.S. Geological Survey science strategy to address chronic wasting disease and cervid health in 2024–2028
Ungulate migrations of the Western United States, volume 4
U.S. Geological Survey science to support wildlife disease management
Ungulate migrations of the western United States, volume 3
The economic costs of chronic wasting disease in the United States
Chronic wasting disease—Research by the U.S. Geological Survey and partners
U.S. Geological Survey response to chronic wasting disease
Chronic wasting disease—Status, science, and management support by the U.S. Geological Survey
Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases
Why bother about wildlife disease?
Related
What is chronic wasting disease?
What are the visual signs of chronic wasting disease?
What should I do if I find sick or dead wildlife?

Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated April 11, 2025.
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated April 11, 2025.

USGS Research Biologist Nathan Johnson’s son Bryce harvests his first white-tailed deer on private property near High Springs, Florida.
USGS Research Biologist Nathan Johnson’s son Bryce harvests his first white-tailed deer on private property near High Springs, Florida.
The disease affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. Chronic wasting disease is contagious and has been detected in 26 states. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal contagious neurological disease that affects free-ranging and captive cervids (members of the deer family) such as elk, moose, white-tailed deer, and mule deer.
The disease affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. Chronic wasting disease is contagious and has been detected in 26 states. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal contagious neurological disease that affects free-ranging and captive cervids (members of the deer family) such as elk, moose, white-tailed deer, and mule deer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
NPS image by Adams. A mule deer stands at the side of a road at Grand Teton National Park.
NPS image by Adams. A mule deer stands at the side of a road at Grand Teton National Park.
A female mule deer, called a doe, forages near the Caverns of Sonora in Texas.
A female mule deer, called a doe, forages near the Caverns of Sonora in Texas.
A bull elk with chronic wasting disease at Wind Cave National Park. The emaciated appearance and drooping ears are characteristic of latter stages of infection.
A bull elk with chronic wasting disease at Wind Cave National Park. The emaciated appearance and drooping ears are characteristic of latter stages of infection.
Zoonotic diseases are those that are spread between wildlife and humans, and are an increasing health threat in the U.S. and throughout the world. As such diseases emerge, scientists with the U.S.
Zoonotic diseases are those that are spread between wildlife and humans, and are an increasing health threat in the U.S. and throughout the world. As such diseases emerge, scientists with the U.S.