Special project

Chronic Wasting Disease

CWD prions confirmed in raw, cooked elk meat and water used for boiling, but risk to people unclear

Grilling the meat substantially boosted detection of the prions, which the authors say may be because heat helps release prions trapped in the tissue.

CWD Report Webinar

Watch a webinar on findings and recommendations from CIDRAP's report on CWD spillover preparedness and response. Experts discuss key One Health topics followed by a Q&A session moderated by CIDRAP Director Dr. Michael Osterholm.

CWD Report 2025

The report provides useful guidance to professionals at human, animal, and wildlife health agencies; academic researchers; and medical practitioners who will be tasked with responding to any human or non-cervid animal chronic wasting disease spillover.

News briefs

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CWD decimating southwestern Wisconsin deer herds, officials say

The exact degree of population declines, however, will depend on local hunter harvest and recruitment rates, the report authors say.

Mary Van Beusekom

Elk becomes first CWD-positive case of its species on a Wyoming feeding ground

The animal was found dead on the Scab Creek Feedground in Elk Hunt Area 98 at the end of December.

Mary Van Beusekom

Mecosta becomes latest Michigan county to report CWD

The buck was harvested in Millbrook Township in the west-central part of the state.

Mary Van Beusekom

Mule deer on Montana's Flathead Indian Reservation tests positive for CWD

The deer was in the Hog Heaven Management Zone of the reservation, located in the western part of the state.

Mary Van Beusekom

CWD prions found in moose, deer, reindeer muscles in Norway, highlighting potential risk to people

North American CWD prion strains have been detected in cervid muscle tissue, but this is the first identification of European CWD prion strains in cervid muscle.

Mary Van Beusekom

First CWD case in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, reported in buck

The infected 1-year-old buck was harvested November 23 on private land less than 10 miles from borders with Calumet and Sheboygan counties.

Mary Van Beusekom

Brown County, Texas, reports its first confirmed CWD case

The 3.5-year-old white-tailed doe was housed on a high-fence ranch in the central Texas county.

Mary Van Beusekom

CWD shows up in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, for first time in wild deer

The finding triggered the renewal of baiting and feeding bans in 2 counties.

Mary Van Beusekom

CIDRAP report highlights gaps, offers guidance for possible CWD spillover into people, other species

This effort, the first of its kind, expands on previous reports by exploring the potential for spillover and mitigation of related health and economic consequences.

Mary Van Beusekom