Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated April 11, 2025.
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 animals also may exhibit increased drinking, urination, and excessive salivation.
All CWD symptoms can have other causes and could lead to misdiagnosis of the condition if the animal is not specifically tested for CWD.
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Related
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-...
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 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.
White-tailed deer
White-tailed deer is native to North America and live in most states except Alaska, California, Nevada, and Utah (source: USFS).
White-tailed deer is native to North America and live in most states except Alaska, California, Nevada, and Utah (source: USFS).
Chronic Wasting Disease in White-Tailed Deer Winning Poster by Heather Inzalaco
This project all started when I began thinking about deer behaviors that may have been overlooked when we think of how chronic wasting disease might be spreading geographically. Something that’s overlooked in the literature on CWD is deer grooming behaviors. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) practice grooming.
This project all started when I began thinking about deer behaviors that may have been overlooked when we think of how chronic wasting disease might be spreading geographically. Something that’s overlooked in the literature on CWD is deer grooming behaviors. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) practice grooming.
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 investigating a game camera in Madison Valley, Montana.
Mule deer investigating a game camera in Madison Valley, Montana.
Mule deer investigating a game camera in Madison Valley, Montana.
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.
Related
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-...
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 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.
White-tailed deer
White-tailed deer is native to North America and live in most states except Alaska, California, Nevada, and Utah (source: USFS).
White-tailed deer is native to North America and live in most states except Alaska, California, Nevada, and Utah (source: USFS).
Chronic Wasting Disease in White-Tailed Deer Winning Poster by Heather Inzalaco
This project all started when I began thinking about deer behaviors that may have been overlooked when we think of how chronic wasting disease might be spreading geographically. Something that’s overlooked in the literature on CWD is deer grooming behaviors. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) practice grooming.
This project all started when I began thinking about deer behaviors that may have been overlooked when we think of how chronic wasting disease might be spreading geographically. Something that’s overlooked in the literature on CWD is deer grooming behaviors. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) practice grooming.
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 investigating a game camera in Madison Valley, Montana.
Mule deer investigating a game camera in Madison Valley, Montana.
Mule deer investigating a game camera in Madison Valley, Montana.
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.
Updated Date: March 28, 2025