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?
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, neurological illness occurring in North American cervids (members of the deer family), including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. Since its discovery in 1967, CWD has spread geographically and increased in prevalence locally. CWD is contagious; it can be transmitted freely within and among cervid populations. No treatments or vaccines are...
What are the visual signs of chronic wasting disease?
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has an extended incubation period averaging 18–24 months between infection and the onset of noticeable signs. During this time frame animals look and act normal. The most obvious sign of CWD is progressive weight loss. Numerous behavioral changes also have been reported, including decreased social interaction, loss of awareness, and loss of fear of humans. Diseased...
What should I do if I find sick or dead wildlife?
A cluster of sick or dead animals in an area might indicate a wildlife disease of concern. If you find sick or dead wildlife, contact your closest state or federal wildlife agency; they can decide whether to investigate. You might also contact your local health department to report this occurrence.
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated April 11, 2025.
USGS research biologist and son with white-tailed deer
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.
Elk with chronic wasting disease
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 is an infectious disease
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.
Mule deer crossing road
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.
Mule Deer Doe
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
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.
Disease Detectives: Investigating the Mysteries of Zoonotic Diseases
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.
Related
What is chronic wasting disease?
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, neurological illness occurring in North American cervids (members of the deer family), including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. Since its discovery in 1967, CWD has spread geographically and increased in prevalence locally. CWD is contagious; it can be transmitted freely within and among cervid populations. No treatments or vaccines are...
What are the visual signs of chronic wasting disease?
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has an extended incubation period averaging 18–24 months between infection and the onset of noticeable signs. During this time frame animals look and act normal. The most obvious sign of CWD is progressive weight loss. Numerous behavioral changes also have been reported, including decreased social interaction, loss of awareness, and loss of fear of humans. Diseased...
What should I do if I find sick or dead wildlife?
A cluster of sick or dead animals in an area might indicate a wildlife disease of concern. If you find sick or dead wildlife, contact your closest state or federal wildlife agency; they can decide whether to investigate. You might also contact your local health department to report this occurrence.
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America
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 and son with white-tailed deer
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.
Elk with chronic wasting disease
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 is an infectious disease
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.
Mule deer crossing road
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.
Mule Deer Doe
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
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.
Disease Detectives: Investigating the Mysteries of Zoonotic Diseases
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.
Updated Date: March 28, 2025