Utah, As of Feb. 23, 2026, a total of 435 mule deer and 11 elk have tested positive for CWD
Utah, As of Feb. 23, 2026, a total of 435 mule deer and 11 elk have tested positive for CWD
As of Feb. 23, 2026, a total of 435 mule deer and 11 elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah
https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/2026/09/30/help-herds-by-visiting-a-check-station-to-get-deer-tested-for-chronic-wasting-disease
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 8:00 am
Chronic wasting disease confirmed in deer for first time near Scofield, new areas of Uintah County
SALT LAKE CITY — Chronic wasting disease was first detected in Utah’s mule deer in 2002, in northeastern Utah, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recently confirmed it has now spread to deer in the Scofield area of Carbon County, as well as new areas of Uintah County.
Chronic wasting disease is a relatively rare transmissible disease that affects the nervous systems of deer, elk and moose. The disease was first discovered in Utah in 2002, in a buck deer taken during the rifle hunt near Vernal.
“The DWR monitors for the spread of chronic wasting disease in big game animals across Utah and conducts check stations each fall during the general-season rifle deer hunts to test harvested deer in specific hunting units,” DWR State Wildlife Veterinarian Ginger Stout said. “The samples taken from deer during last fall’s check stations were sent to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan, and we recently received the last test results.”
Between July 1 and Feb. 23, DWR biologists received 2,126 samples for chronic wasting disease testing, 1,479 of which were animals harvested by hunters. Of the total samples, 83 were confirmed positive for chronic wasting disease, and 46 of those samples were submitted by hunters. The number of positive cases was slightly down from the previous hunting season’s 98 confirmed cases.
The majority of the positive CWD cases were from northeastern and southeastern Utah, but a positive deer was also located in Scofield, which is a new area for chronic wasting disease in Utah. The Little Mountain/Pine Ridge/Dry Fork area of Uintah County also had positive CWD cases for the first time last fall.
As of Feb. 23, a total of 435 mule deer and 11 elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah. CWD is currently found in areas of northern, northeastern, central, and southeastern Utah. Visit the DWR website to see a map of the areas of Utah with CWD (but note that the map hasn’t yet been updated with these latest cases).
“We can't accurately compare each year’s positive cases to determine how fast the disease is spreading because we sample areas of the state on a five-year rotation — alternatively, we compare each unit from year to year,” Stout said. “However, we are finding the disease in new areas, so unfortunately, it does appear to be spreading in Utah. We are continuing to do extensive monitoring and trying different hunting strategies to stay on top of the disease and its prevalence in the state.”
Chronic wasting disease is caused by a misfolded protein, called a prion, that accumulates in the animal’s brain and spinal cord. The same type of misfolded protein causes “mad cow disease” in cows and scrapie in sheep. Infected animals develop brain lesions, become emaciated, appear listless and have droopy ears. They may also salivate excessively and will eventually die. Deer in the early stages of chronic wasting disease appear healthy — including animals that may be harvested by hunters — so the only way to know if your deer is infected is to get it tested.
Infected animals may shed prions in their urine, feces and saliva, even when they aren’t showing symptoms. Transmission may occur directly through contact with an infected animal or indirectly through environmental contamination. (A dead carcass can contaminate the soil.) Prions are extremely resilient in the environment and can stay infectious for many years.
While the Centers for Disease Control says the risk of transmission from animals to humans is considered extremely low, they recommend not consuming meat from animals infected with CWD.
If you see any deer that appear sick, please report it to the nearest DWR office.
https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/2264-chronic-wasting-disease-confirmed-in-deer-for-first-time-near-scofield.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20260310083036/https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/2264-chronic-wasting-disease-confirmed-in-deer-for-first-time-near-scofield.html
Utah, As of Sept. 2, 2025, 356 deer and 10 elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah. The disease is found throughout northeastern, southeastern and some parts of central Utah.
https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/2200-visit-a-check-station-to-get-deer-tested-for-chronic-wasting-disease-in-2025.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20251010082040/https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/2200-visit-a-check-station-to-get-deer-tested-for-chronic-wasting-disease-in-2025.html
Thursday, November 30, 2023, 9:50 am
Utah Chronic wasting disease confirmed in deer for first time in Payson
SALT LAKE CITY — Chronic wasting disease was first detected in mule deer in Utah in 2002 in northeastern Utah, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recently confirmed it has now spread to deer in the Payson area of Utah County, as well.
Between July 1 and Nov. 28, DWR biologists have confirmed 26 positive cases of chronic wasting disease, including 25 deer and one elk.
Currently, 188 mule deer and four elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah.
see; Published: Thursday, November 30, 2023, 9:50 am
Chronic wasting disease confirmed in deer for first time in Payson
SALT LAKE CITY — Chronic wasting disease was first detected in mule deer in Utah in 2002 in northeastern Utah, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recently confirmed it has now spread to deer in the Payson area of Utah County, as well.
Chronic wasting disease is a relatively rare transmissible disease that affects the nervous systems of deer, elk and moose. The disease was first discovered in Utah in 2002 in a buck deer harvested during the rifle hunt near Vernal.
The DWR monitors for the spread of chronic wasting disease in big game animals across Utah and conducts check stations each fall during the general-season rifle deer hunts to test harvested deer in specific hunting units. The samples taken from deer during this year's check stations were sent to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan, and the DWR recently received the test results.
Between July 1 and Nov. 28, DWR biologists have confirmed 26 positive cases of chronic wasting disease, including 25 deer and one elk. Of those animals, 18 were harvested by hunters, five were found dead and three were sick animals that were reported and euthanized by the DWR. The majority of the positive CWD cases were from northeastern Utah, but a positive deer was also located in Payson, which is a new area for chronic wasting disease. Three deer from Moab also tested positive, which is an ongoing hotspot for the disease. Two deer from North Salt Lake were also among the positive CWD cases, which is another recent hotspot for the disease after a deer tested positive for the first time there last year.
Currently, 188 mule deer and four elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah. CWD is currently found in areas of northeastern Utah, southeastern Utah and northern Utah. Visit the DWR website to see a map of the areas of Utah with CWD (but note that the map hasn't yet been updated with these latest cases.)
"We can't accurately compare each year's positive cases to determine how fast the disease is spreading because we sample different areas of the state each year that have different prevalence; alternatively, we compare each unit from year to year," DWR State Wildlife Veterinarian Ginger Stout said. "However, we are finding the disease in new areas, so unfortunately, it does appear to be spreading in Utah. We are continuing to do extensive monitoring and trying different hunting strategies to stay on top of the disease and its prevalence in the state."
Chronic wasting disease is caused by a misfolded protein, called a prion, that aggregates in the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by the same type of misfolded protein as "mad cow disease" in cows. Infected animals develop brain lesions, become emaciated, appear listless and have droopy ears. They may also salivate excessively and eventually die.
Infected animals may shed prions in their urine, feces and saliva. Transmission may occur directly through contact with an infected animal or indirectly through environmental contamination. (A dead carcass can contaminate the soil.) Prions are extremely resilient in the environment and can stay infectious for years.
While the Centers for Disease Control says the risk of transmission from animals to humans is considered extremely low, they recommend not consuming meat from animals infected with chronic wasting disease.
If you see any deer that appear sick, please report it to the nearest DWR office.
https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/1815-chronic-wasting-disease-confirmed-in-deer-for-first-time-in-payson.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20231216060854/https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/1815-chronic-wasting-disease-confirmed-in-deer-for-first-time-in-payson.html
Published: Friday, June 17, 2022, 10:03 am
Chronic wasting disease confirmed in deer for first time in Salt Lake County
SALT LAKE CITY — Chronic wasting disease was first detected in mule deer in Utah in 2002 in northeastern Utah, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recently confirmed it has now spread to deer in Salt Lake County too.
Chronic wasting disease is a relatively rare transmissible disease that affects the nervous systems of deer, elk and moose. The disease was first discovered in Utah in 2002 in a buck deer taken during the rifle hunt near Vernal. Previously, it was only found in Sanpete, Duchesne, Uintah, Davis, San Juan, Grand and Carbon counties.
However, between December 2021 and March 2022, three deer were found dead and one sick deer was euthanized near North Salt Lake and Bountiful. Samples from the four deer were all sent to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan in late April, and results confirmed that the deer had chronic wasting disease. As of June 16, 26 deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease this year. Currently, 157 mule deer and 3 elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah.
The disease is caused by a protein particle, called a prion, that attaches to the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by the same type of particle as "mad cow disease" in cows. Infected animals develop brain lesions, become emaciated, appear listless and have droopy ears. They may also salivate excessively and eventually die.
Infected animals may shed prions in their urine, feces and saliva. Transmission may occur directly through contact with an infected animal or indirectly through environmental contamination. (A dead carcass can contaminate the soil.) Prions are extremely resilient in the environment and can stay infectious for years.
"This disease unfortunately does appear to be spreading in Utah, and we will continue to do extensive monitoring to stay on top of the disease and its prevalence in the state," DWR State Wildlife Veterinarian Ginger Stout said.
The DWR sets up monitoring checkpoints on all hunting units in the state — on a five-year rotation — in order to test the deer harvested in that area to sample the deer populations for chronic wasting disease.
While the Centers for Disease Control says the risk of transmission from animals to humans is considered extremely low, they recommend not consuming meat from animals infected with chronic wasting disease.
If you see any deer that appear sick, please report it to the nearest DWR office.
https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/1454-chronic-wasting-disease-in-deer-confirmed-in-salt-lake-county.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20230321112402/https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/1454-chronic-wasting-disease-in-deer-confirmed-in-salt-lake-county.html
MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2022
Utah CWD confirmed in deer for first time in Salt Lake County and Currently 157 mule deer and 3 elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2022/06/utah-cwd-confirmed-in-deer-for-first.html
131 mule deer and three elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah, to date...
https://wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/2021_field_regs.pdf
https://wildlife.utah.gov/chronic-wasting-disease.html
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021
Utah 131 mule deer and three elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah, to date
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2021/08/utah-131-mule-deer-and-three-elk-have.html
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020
Utah CWD TSE Prion Since July 1, 2019, the DWR confirmed 16 positive deer statewide Six of those, including Coal, were in the La Sal Unit, 59 test pending
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2020/01/utah-cwd-tse-prion-since-july-1-2019.html
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2018
Utah Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion Update to date from 2017 Hunting Season
http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2018/02/utah-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse.html
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016
UTAH CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD TSE PRION SURVEILLANCE AND TESTING PROGRAM 70 mule deer and two elk have tested positive
http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2016/04/utah-chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse.html
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Chronic wasting disease found in bull elk killed on private Utah ranch
http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2015/01/chronic-wasting-disease-found-in-bull.html
Chronic Wasting Disease Found in New Area in Utah
by Outdoor Hub on December 20, 2011
species: Mule Deer location(s): Utah
A deer infected with chronic wasting disease has been found in a new area in Utah. That’s not a surprise, though—the new area is next to an area where the disease has been for years. 1,200 samples taken this fall Technicians at the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan have finished testing tissue samples taken from more than 1,200 deer, elk and moose this fall. Hunters across Utah took the animals, and biologists with the Division of Wildlife Resources collected the samples. One of the deer that was taken on the San Juan deer hunting unit in southeastern Utah tested positive for the disease. This is the first time a deer from the unit has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). Leslie McFarlane, wildlife disease coordinator for the DWR, says she’s not surprised that a deer from the San Juan unit tested positive for CWD. “We’ve found deer with CWD on the La Sal Mountains,” she says. “The La Sal Mountains are just north of the San Juan unit.” Most deer are disease free Fortunately for Utah’s deer herds, CWD is not widespread in Utah. Since 2002, almost 19,000 deer have been tested in the state. Of the nearly 19,000 deer, only 54 tested positive for CWD. The 54 deer came from three major areas in Utah:
Area Number of deer
Southeastern Utah 38
Central Utah 10
Northeastern Utah 6
One elk, no moose To date, only one elk—a cow taken on the La Sal Mountains in November 2009—has tested positive for the disease. CWD has never been found in a moose in Utah. Learn more CWD is fatal to deer, elk and moose. But there’s no evidence that it can be transmitted to humans. More information about CWD is available at http://go.usa.gov/5d8
http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/chronic-wasting-disease-found-in-new-area-in-utah/
https://web.archive.org/web/20120509070919/http://www.outdoorhub.com/news/chronic-wasting-disease-found-in-new-area-in-utah/
http://wildlife.utah.gov/diseases/cwd/update2011.pdf
http://wildlife.utah.gov/diseases/cwd/11sampleunits.jpg
http://wildlife.utah.gov/diseases/cwd/
http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/news.html
http://go.usa.gov/5d8
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
CWD UTAH San Juan deer hunting unit
http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2011/12/cwd-utah-san-juan-deer-hunting-unit.html
Friday, March 12, 2010
Elk tests positive for CWD UTAH Posted Thursday, 11 March 2010
http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2010/03/elk-tests-positive-for-cwd-utah.html
http://promedmail.org/post/20100313.0810
Subject: CWD SPREADS TO CENTRAL UTAH, DEADLY DISEASE FOUND IN MORE DEER
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr." flounder9@VERIZON.NET
Reply-To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy BSE-L@LISTS.AEGEE.ORG
Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2006 09:44:10 –0600
##################### Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy #####################
snip...
Utah CWD Results Are In From the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources The Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan has finished testing more than 2,100 deer for chronic wasting disease. The deer were taken during Utah's 2005 fall hunting seasons.
Of the more than 2,100 deer tested, eight had the disease, the Division of Wildlife Resources announced Jan. 13.
Two of the eight deer were taken during last fall's muzzleloader season, and six were taken during the rifle hunt.
In addition to the deer that were tested, laboratory personnel are almost done testing about 300 elk taken this fall. So far, none of the elk have tested positive for the disease. CWD has never been found in elk in Utah.
"The disease appears to be staying within areas where we've already found it," said Leslie McFarlane, wildlife disease specialist for the DWR. "In central and northeastern Utah, we estimate that less than 1 percent of the buck population is affected by CWD. In the LaSal Mountains in southeastern Utah, we estimate about 2 percent of the buck deer have the disease."
McFarlane was surprised to find CWD in two deer taken in central Utah this past fall.
"A deer killed near Fountain Green in the summer of 2003 tested positive for the disease, and we were hoping that would be the only deer we would find in that part of the state," she said. "We tested more than 1,000 deer in that area in the fall of 2003 and 2004 and didn't find any other deer with the disease.
"The two deer that tested positive this year, however, confirms that we do have the disease in the central part of the state."
The two central Utah deer were taken about eight miles apart from each other near the Spencer Fork Wildlife Management Area, about 20 miles north of Fountain Green.
In addition to the two central Utah bucks, five deer taken in the LaSal Mountains this past fall had the disease. So did a yearling buck taken near the south end of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. That was the first CWD-positive deer found in that specific area, but other CWD-positive deer have been in the past near Vernal, just 20 miles to the south.
All of the hunters who took the deer have been notified that their animals tested positive for CWD.
CWD First Confirmed in Utah in 2003
Since the fall of 2002, almost 10,300 deer in Utah have been tested for CWD. A total of 26 of those deer had the disease.
Eighteen of the 26 deer came from the LaSal Mountains, four came from the Vernal area, one was taken near the south end of Flaming Gorge, one was killed near Fountain Green, and two were taken 20 miles north of Fountain Green.
CWD is fatal to deer and elk that contract it. However, according to the World Health Organization, "There is currently no evidence that CWD in cervidae (deer and elk) is transmitted to humans."
For more information about CWD, visit the DWR's Web site at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/biggame/cwd
Date 18 Oct 2005
From: Terry S Singeltary Sr Source: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources [edited]
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/news/05-10/cwd_found.php
http://www.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=20051120.3372
2 buck deer taken during this year's Utah muzzleloader hunt have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), the Division of Wildlife Resources announced on 17 Oct 2005.
The 1st deer was a yearling buck taken near the south end of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. This is the 1st CWD positive deer found in Daggett County. Other CWD positive deer have been found in the past just 20 miles to the south, near Vernal. The 2nd deer to test positive was a mature buck taken on the LaSal Mountains in south eastern Utah.
Both of the hunters who took the deer have been notified that their animals tested positive for CWD. "We've tested approximately 450 deer and elk so far this year, and these are the only animals that have tested positive for CWD," said Leslie McFarlane, wildlife disease specialist for the DWR. "Nearly all of the testing has been completed on samples collected during the archery and muzzleloader hunts. We expect to collect nearly 2000 samples during the rifle deer hunt that starts this weekend."
The Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan is testing the samples for the DWR. The latest finds bring to 20 the number of deer that have tested positive for CWD since the disease was first found in Utah in February 2003. 14 of the 20 deer have come from the LaSal Mountain area, where DWR biologists estimate about 2 per cent of the deer have the disease. Of the remaining deer, 4 came from the Vernal area, 1 was taken near the south end of Flaming Gorge, and one was killed near Fountain Green in central Utah.
CWD is fatal to deer and elk that contract it. However, according to the World Health Organization, "There is currently no evidence that CWD in cervidae (deer and elk) is transmitted to humans."
******
[2]
Date: 18 Oct 2005
From: Terry S Singeltary Sr Source: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources [edited] <http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/news/05-10/cwd.php>;
Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) personnel are in the process of monitoring the presence and prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the State of Utah. A small number of deer harvested in the state have tested positive for CWD during the past 4 years. Sportsmen participating in the general season rifle hunt, which opens 22 Oct 2005, are encouraged to participate in this disease monitoring effort.
Testing for the disease is done by removing the lymph nodes from the throat of the deer. The abnormal prions (proteins) indicative of CWD tend to accumulate in these lymph node tissues. Lymph node samples from each deer sampled are sent to a laboratory in Logan and hunters can learn whether the deer has tested positive for CWD within 4 weeks.
Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that the disease can be transmitted to humans by eating or handling meat of infected animals. However, it is advised that hunters avoid consumption and direct contact with brain tissues, spinal fluids, and lymph nodes.
DWR personnel will be taking disease samples from deer harvested throughout the south eastern region. Hunters may encounter officers in the field or at check stations. Hunters who are not contacted and have questions regarding CWD can contact the Price DWR office at (435) 636-0260 during business hours, or (435) 820-8921 during non-business hours.
******
http://promedmail.org/post/20051120.3372
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr." flounder@WT.NET
Reply-To: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy BSE-L@UNI-KARLSRUHE.DE
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:22:42 -0600
######## Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy #########
Deer from northeastern Utah tests positive for Chronic Wasting Disease
Additional information about Chronic Wasting Disease
Salt Lake City — A buck deer taken by a hunter in northeastern Utah has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), the Division of Wildlife Resources has announced.
"The Division of Wildlife Resources has been looking for Chronic Wasting Disease in Utah since 1998," said Jim Karpowitz, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "When the Colorado Division of Wildlife discovered a CWD positive deer near the town of Craig in early 2002, we decided to intensify our surveillance efforts, focusing on mule deer populations along the Colorado border."
Nearly 1,500 brain samples were collected from deer and elk in Utah in fall 2002. Almost 1,400 of the deer and elk have been tested for CWD so far, with only one positive sample.
The positive sample came from a mature buck deer taken this fall on Diamond Mountain, just north of Vernal. Utah State University is conducting CWD testing for the DWR. See map — (PDF format)
"It's important to remember that there is currently no evidence that CWD can be naturally transmitted to humans or livestock," Karpowitz said. "It also does not appear to cause catastrophic die offs in deer and elk populations."
A great deal of research is being conducted by many agencies and organizations to learn more about this relatively new disease. "Until more is known, we'll continue to be diligent with our surveillance and management efforts and provide the public with the most current information available," Karpowitz said.
Another excellent source of information is a national Web site ran by the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance (cwd-info.org). "This site includes links to CWD information on other Web sites," Karpowitz said. "I would encourage people to link from it to Wisconsin's site, which has some excellent information about CWD."
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/
http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/
Subject: CWD SPREADS TO CENTRAL UTAH, DEADLY DISEASE FOUND IN MORE DEER
snip...
Utah CWD Results Are In From the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources The Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan has finished testing more than 2,100 deer for chronic wasting disease. The deer were taken during Utah's 2005 fall hunting seasons.
Of the more than 2,100 deer tested, eight had the disease, the Division of Wildlife Resources announced Jan. 13.
Two of the eight deer were taken during last fall's muzzleloader season, and six were taken during the rifle hunt.
In addition to the deer that were tested, laboratory personnel are almost done testing about 300 elk taken this fall. So far, none of the elk have tested positive for the disease. CWD has never been found in elk in Utah.
"The disease appears to be staying within areas where we've already found it," said Leslie McFarlane, wildlife disease specialist for the DWR. "In central and northeastern Utah, we estimate that less than 1 percent of the buck population is affected by CWD. In the LaSal Mountains in southeastern Utah, we estimate about 2 percent of the buck deer have the disease."
McFarlane was surprised to find CWD in two deer taken in central Utah this past fall.
"A deer killed near Fountain Green in the summer of 2003 tested positive for the disease, and we were hoping that would be the only deer we would find in that part of the state," she said. "We tested more than 1,000 deer in that area in the fall of 2003 and 2004 and didn't find any other deer with the disease.
"The two deer that tested positive this year, however, confirms that we do have the disease in the central part of the state."
The two central Utah deer were taken about eight miles apart from each other near the Spencer Fork Wildlife Management Area, about 20 miles north of Fountain Green.
In addition to the two central Utah bucks, five deer taken in the LaSal Mountains this past fall had the disease. So did a yearling buck taken near the south end of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. That was the first CWD-positive deer found in that specific area, but other CWD-positive deer have been in the past near Vernal, just 20 miles to the south.
All of the hunters who took the deer have been notified that their animals tested positive for CWD.
CWD First Confirmed in Utah in 2003
Since the fall of 2002, almost 10,300 deer in Utah have been tested for CWD. A total of 26 of those deer had the disease.
Eighteen of the 26 deer came from the LaSal Mountains, four came from the Vernal area, one was taken near the south end of Flaming Gorge, one was killed near Fountain Green, and two were taken 20 miles north of Fountain Green.
CWD is fatal to deer and elk that contract it. However, according to the World Health Organization, "There is currently no evidence that CWD in cervidae (deer and elk) is transmitted to humans."
For more information about CWD, visit the DWR's Web site at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/biggame/cwd
Source: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources [edited]
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/news/05-10/cwd_found.php
https://web.archive.org/web/20051109111310/http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/news/05-10/cwd_found.php
http://www.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=20051120.3372
2 buck deer taken during this year's Utah muzzleloader hunt have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), the Division of Wildlife Resources announced on 17 Oct 2005.
The 1st deer was a yearling buck taken near the south end of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. This is the 1st CWD positive deer found in Daggett County. Other CWD positive deer have been found in the past just 20 miles to the south, near Vernal. The 2nd deer to test positive was a mature buck taken on the LaSal Mountains in south eastern Utah.
Both of the hunters who took the deer have been notified that their animals tested positive for CWD. "We've tested approximately 450 deer and elk so far this year, and these are the only animals that have tested positive for CWD," said Leslie McFarlane, wildlife disease specialist for the DWR. "Nearly all of the testing has been completed on samples collected during the archery and muzzleloader hunts. We expect to collect nearly 2000 samples during the rifle deer hunt that starts this weekend."
The Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan is testing the samples for the DWR. The latest finds bring to 20 the number of deer that have tested positive for CWD since the disease was first found in Utah in February 2003. 14 of the 20 deer have come from the LaSal Mountain area, where DWR biologists estimate about 2 per cent of the deer have the disease. Of the remaining deer, 4 came from the Vernal area, 1 was taken near the south end of Flaming Gorge, and one was killed near Fountain Green in central Utah.
CWD is fatal to deer and elk that contract it. However, according to the World Health Organization, "There is currently no evidence that CWD in cervidae (deer and elk) is transmitted to humans."
******
[2]
Date: 18 Oct 2005
From: Terry S Singeltary Sr Source: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources [edited] <http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/news/05-10/cwd.php>;
Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) personnel are in the process of monitoring the presence and prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the State of Utah. A small number of deer harvested in the state have tested positive for CWD during the past 4 years. Sportsmen participating in the general season rifle hunt, which opens 22 Oct 2005, are encouraged to participate in this disease monitoring effort.
Testing for the disease is done by removing the lymph nodes from the throat of the deer. The abnormal prions (proteins) indicative of CWD tend to accumulate in these lymph node tissues. Lymph node samples from each deer sampled are sent to a laboratory in Logan and hunters can learn whether the deer has tested positive for CWD within 4 weeks.
Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that the disease can be transmitted to humans by eating or handling meat of infected animals. However, it is advised that hunters avoid consumption and direct contact with brain tissues, spinal fluids, and lymph nodes.
DWR personnel will be taking disease samples from deer harvested throughout the south eastern region. Hunters may encounter officers in the field or at check stations. Hunters who are not contacted and have questions regarding CWD can contact the Price DWR office at (435) 636-0260 during business hours, or (435) 820-8921 during non-business hours.
******
http://promedmail.org/post/20051120.3372
Deer from northeastern Utah tests positive for Chronic Wasting Disease
Additional information about Chronic Wasting Disease
Salt Lake City — A buck deer taken by a hunter in northeastern Utah has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), the Division of Wildlife Resources has announced.
"The Division of Wildlife Resources has been looking for Chronic Wasting Disease in Utah since 1998," said Jim Karpowitz, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "When the Colorado Division of Wildlife discovered a CWD positive deer near the town of Craig in early 2002, we decided to intensify our surveillance efforts, focusing on mule deer populations along the Colorado border."
Nearly 1,500 brain samples were collected from deer and elk in Utah in fall 2002. Almost 1,400 of the deer and elk have been tested for CWD so far, with only one positive sample.
The positive sample came from a mature buck deer taken this fall on Diamond Mountain, just north of Vernal. Utah State University is conducting CWD testing for the DWR. See map — (PDF format)
"It's important to remember that there is currently no evidence that CWD can be naturally transmitted to humans or livestock," Karpowitz said. "It also does not appear to cause catastrophic die offs in deer and elk populations."
A great deal of research is being conducted by many agencies and organizations to learn more about this relatively new disease. "Until more is known, we'll continue to be diligent with our surveillance and management efforts and provide the public with the most current information available," Karpowitz said.
Another excellent source of information is a national Web site ran by the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance (cwd-info.org). "This site includes links to CWD information on other Web sites," Karpowitz said. "I would encourage people to link from it to Wisconsin's site, which has some excellent information about CWD."
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/
http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/
***> Looming Crisis U. S. Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy TSE Prion, in Cattle, Cervid, Sheep, Pigs, and Humans
https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2026/09/looming-crisis-u-s-transmissible.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/246/looming-crisis-prion-cattle-cervid
TUESDAY, APRIL 07, 2026
APHIS USDA Captive CWD Herds Update by State March 2026 Update
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/243/aphis-captive-herd-status-september
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/09/aphis-captive-herd-cwd-status-september.html
USA Report, Scrapie, CWD, BSE, TSE, Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Cervid, Humans, Zoonotic, 2026
April 2026
https://fdabse589.blogspot.com/2026/04/usa-report-scrapie-cwd-bse-tse-cattle.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403956772_USA_Report_Scrapie_CWD_BSE_TSE_Cattle_Sheep_Pigs_Cervid_Humans_Zoonotic_2026
SUNDAY, AUGUST 09, 2026
***> Chronic Wasting Disease CWD and Population Declines of Cervid
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/08/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-and.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/229/cwd-prion-population-declines-cervid
***> 1. 01 Determined that white-tailed deer (WTD) infected with scrapie from sheep can transmit the disease to other deer under conditions mimicking natural exposure.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/project/?accnNo=440677&fy=202
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=336834
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/8/24-0007_article
cwd tse prion, cattle, pigs, sheep, primates, oh my! Prion Conference 2023
Transmission of the chronic wasting disease agent from elk to cattle after oronasal exposure
Justin Greenlee, Jifeng Bian, Zoe Lambert, Alexis Frese, and Eric Cassmann Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA-ARS, Ames, IA, USA
Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility of cattle to chronic wasting disease agent from elk.
Materials and Methods: Initial studies were conducted in bovinized mice using inoculum derived from elk with various genotypes at codon 132 (MM, LM, LL). Based upon attack rates, inoculum (10% w/v brain homogenate) from an LM132 elk was selected for transmission studies in cattle. At approximately 2 weeks of age, one wild type steer (EE211) and one steer with the E211K polymorphism (EK211) were fed 1 mL of brain homogenate in a quart of milk replacer while another 1 mL was instilled intranasally. The cattle were examined daily for clinical signs for the duration of the experiment. One steer is still under observation at 71 months post-inoculation (mpi).
Results: Inoculum derived from MM132 elk resulted in similar attack rates and incubation periods in mice expressing wild type or K211 bovine PRNP, 35% at 531 days post inoculation (dpi) and 27% at 448 dpi, respectively. Inoculum from LM132 elk had a slightly higher attack rates in mice: 45% (693 dpi) in wild type cattle PRNP and 33% (468) in K211 mice. Inoculum from LL132 elk resulted in the highest attack rate in wild type bovinized mice (53% at 625 dpi), but no K211 mice were affected at >700 days. At approximately 70 mpi, the EK211 genotype steer developed clinical signs suggestive of prion disease, depression, low head carriage, hypersalivation, and ataxia, and was necropsied. Enzyme immunoassay (IDEXX) was positive in brainstem (OD=4.00, but non-detect in retropharyngeal lymph nodes and palatine tonsil. Immunoreactivity was largely limited to the brainstem, midbrain, and cervical spinal cord with a pattern that was primarily glia-associated.
“Conclusions: Cattle with the E211K polymorphism are susceptible to the CWD agent after oronasal exposure of 0.2 g of infectious material.”
Strain characterization of chronic wasting disease in bovine-PrP transgenic mice
Conclusions: Altogether, these results exhibit the diversity of CWD strains present in the panel of CWD isolates and the ability of at least some CWD isolates to infect bovine species. Cattle being one of the most important farming species, this ability represents a potential threat to both animal and human health, and consequently deserves further study.
Prion 2023 Congress Organizing Committee and the NeuroPrion Association, we invite you to join us for the International Conference Prion2023 from 16-20 October 2023 in Faro, Portugal.
https://prion2023.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Meeting-book-final-version2.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20250828201533/https://prion2023.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Meeting-book-final-version2.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Syed-Zahid-Shah/publication/378314391_Meeting-book-final-version_prion_2023/links/65d44dad28b7720cecdca95f/Meeting-book-final-version-prion-2023.pdf
don’t forget the pigs, outbreak of cwd in pigs in Texas and Arkansas;
Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America Preliminary Outbreak Assessment DEFRA 26 January 2026 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Preliminary Outbreak Assessment
Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America
26 January 2026
Disease report
“They analysed over 300 brain and lymph node samples from 178 wild pigs living across Arkansas and Texas, USA…the researchers identified CWD prions in up to 37% of the lymph node samples and 15% of brain samples. The lowest detection rates were in the Texas samples (below 16%), matching the lower CWD prevalence in the state’s cervid population.”
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697a3b013c71d838df6bd413/CWD_Prions_in_Cervids_and_Wild_Pigs_in_North_America.pdf
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Preliminary Outbreak Assessment
Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America
26 January 2026
Disease report
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of cervids, such as deer, elk, moose and reindeer. It is caused by prions – infectious proteins that cause normal cellular prion proteins to misfold (CIDRAP, 2025). The disease is widespread in captive and free-ranging cervids in North America (Figure 1). For the first time, CWD prions have also been detected in the tissues of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) caught in CWD-affected areas of the USA (Soto et al. 2025). This discovery emerged from a study designed to investigate potential interactions between wild pigs and CWD prions, as wild pigs often coexist with cervids, which can shed prions into the environment. The following assessment discusses the epidemiology of CWD in North America and the detection of CWD prions in wild pigs. It also considers the potential implications for Great Britain.
Conclusion
CWD has continued to spread among captive and free-ranging cervids in North America since it was first detected in the 1960s. The finding of CWD prions in wild pigs in the USA suggests they could contribute towards transmission of the disease, influencing its epidemiology, geographic distribution and interspecies spread. However, further research is needed to confirm this. CWD has never been reported in Great Britain and the current risk of CWD prions being introduced into Great Britain’s wild pig or cervid population ranges from very low to negligible.
Readers are reminded to be vigilant for signs of CWD. Information on how to spot the disease can be found here. Suspected cases must be reported immediately to the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, call 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Authors • Lawrence Finn • Dr. Lauren Perrin • John Spiropoulos • Dr. Helen RobertsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
References
snip…see full report;
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697a3b013c71d838df6bd413/CWD_Prions_in_Cervids_and_Wild_Pigs_in_North_America.pdf
Detection of Prions in Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) from Areas with Reported Chronic Wasting Disease Cases, United State Volume 31, Number 1—January 2025
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-0401_article
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026
Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America Preliminary Outbreak
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.01800-25
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-0401_article
https://media.ark.org/agri/Moore_2017_Swine_CWD.pdf
https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2026/01/chronic-wasting-disease-prions-in.html
***> cwd to sheep
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD vs Scrapie TSE Prion
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=410511
Detection of infectivity in orally inoculated pigs using mouse bioassay raises the possibility that naturally exposed pigs could act as a reservoir of CWD infectivity. Currently, swine rations in the U.S. could contain animal derived components including materials from deer or elk. In addition, feral swine could be exposed to infected carcasses in areas where CWD is present in wildlife populations. The current feed ban in the U.S. is based exclusively on keeping tissues from TSE infected cattle from entering animal feeds. These results indicating the susceptibility of pigs to CWD, coupled with the limitations of the current feed ban, indicates that a revision of the feed ban may be necessary to protect swine production and potentially human health.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=353091
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/project/?accnNo=432011&fy=2017
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=337105
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=326166
Research Project: Elucidating the Pathobiology and Transmission of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies
Location: Virus and Prion Research
Title: Differentiation of scrapie from chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer
Accomplishments
1. 01 Determined that white-tailed deer (WTD) infected with scrapie from sheep can transmit the disease to other deer under conditions mimicking natural exposure. It has long been suggested that prion disease in deer (chronic wasting disease (CWD)) was caused by the prion agent from sheep. The prion disease that affects sheep, scrapie, has been recognized for hundreds of years. However, chronic wasting disease, a similar disease found in WTD, has only been recognized since the 1960s. ARS researchers in Ames, Iowa, showed that white-tailed deer sick with scrapie from sheep can infect other deer under conditions mimicking natural exposure. Furthermore, this work shows that CWD is difficult to differentiate from WTD infected with scrapie. WTD scrapie prions accumulate in the lymphoreticular system in a manner similar to CWD, meaning that environmental contamination may occur through feces, saliva, and other body fluids of scrapie affected WTD as has been shown for CWD. The presence of WTD infected with scrapie could confound mitigation efforts for chronic wasting disease. This information informs regulatory officials, the farmed cervid industry, and officials tasked with protecting animal health such as state Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, or Parks and Wildlife with regard to a disease similar to CWD but arising from sheep scrapie that could be present in WTD that have contact with scrapie affected sheep and/or goats.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/project/?accnNo=440677&fy=202
http://www.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=20051120.3372
2 buck deer taken during this year's Utah muzzleloader hunt have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), the Division of Wildlife Resources announced on 17 Oct 2005.
The 1st deer was a yearling buck taken near the south end of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. This is the 1st CWD positive deer found in Daggett County. Other CWD positive deer have been found in the past just 20 miles to the south, near Vernal. The 2nd deer to test positive was a mature buck taken on the LaSal Mountains in south eastern Utah.
Both of the hunters who took the deer have been notified that their animals tested positive for CWD. "We've tested approximately 450 deer and elk so far this year, and these are the only animals that have tested positive for CWD," said Leslie McFarlane, wildlife disease specialist for the DWR. "Nearly all of the testing has been completed on samples collected during the archery and muzzleloader hunts. We expect to collect nearly 2000 samples during the rifle deer hunt that starts this weekend."
The Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan is testing the samples for the DWR. The latest finds bring to 20 the number of deer that have tested positive for CWD since the disease was first found in Utah in February 2003. 14 of the 20 deer have come from the LaSal Mountain area, where DWR biologists estimate about 2 per cent of the deer have the disease. Of the remaining deer, 4 came from the Vernal area, 1 was taken near the south end of Flaming Gorge, and one was killed near Fountain Green in central Utah.
CWD is fatal to deer and elk that contract it. However, according to the World Health Organization, "There is currently no evidence that CWD in cervidae (deer and elk) is transmitted to humans."
******
[2]
Date: 18 Oct 2005
From: Terry S Singeltary Sr Source: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources [edited] <http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/news/05-10/cwd.php>;
Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) personnel are in the process of monitoring the presence and prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the State of Utah. A small number of deer harvested in the state have tested positive for CWD during the past 4 years. Sportsmen participating in the general season rifle hunt, which opens 22 Oct 2005, are encouraged to participate in this disease monitoring effort.
Testing for the disease is done by removing the lymph nodes from the throat of the deer. The abnormal prions (proteins) indicative of CWD tend to accumulate in these lymph node tissues. Lymph node samples from each deer sampled are sent to a laboratory in Logan and hunters can learn whether the deer has tested positive for CWD within 4 weeks.
Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that the disease can be transmitted to humans by eating or handling meat of infected animals. However, it is advised that hunters avoid consumption and direct contact with brain tissues, spinal fluids, and lymph nodes.
DWR personnel will be taking disease samples from deer harvested throughout the south eastern region. Hunters may encounter officers in the field or at check stations. Hunters who are not contacted and have questions regarding CWD can contact the Price DWR office at (435) 636-0260 during business hours, or (435) 820-8921 during non-business hours.
******
http://promedmail.org/post/20051120.3372
Deer from northeastern Utah tests positive for Chronic Wasting Disease
Additional information about Chronic Wasting Disease
Salt Lake City — A buck deer taken by a hunter in northeastern Utah has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), the Division of Wildlife Resources has announced.
"The Division of Wildlife Resources has been looking for Chronic Wasting Disease in Utah since 1998," said Jim Karpowitz, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "When the Colorado Division of Wildlife discovered a CWD positive deer near the town of Craig in early 2002, we decided to intensify our surveillance efforts, focusing on mule deer populations along the Colorado border."
Nearly 1,500 brain samples were collected from deer and elk in Utah in fall 2002. Almost 1,400 of the deer and elk have been tested for CWD so far, with only one positive sample.
The positive sample came from a mature buck deer taken this fall on Diamond Mountain, just north of Vernal. Utah State University is conducting CWD testing for the DWR. See map — (PDF format)
"It's important to remember that there is currently no evidence that CWD can be naturally transmitted to humans or livestock," Karpowitz said. "It also does not appear to cause catastrophic die offs in deer and elk populations."
A great deal of research is being conducted by many agencies and organizations to learn more about this relatively new disease. "Until more is known, we'll continue to be diligent with our surveillance and management efforts and provide the public with the most current information available," Karpowitz said.
Another excellent source of information is a national Web site ran by the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance (cwd-info.org). "This site includes links to CWD information on other Web sites," Karpowitz said. "I would encourage people to link from it to Wisconsin's site, which has some excellent information about CWD."
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/
http://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/
***> Looming Crisis U. S. Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy TSE Prion, in Cattle, Cervid, Sheep, Pigs, and Humans
https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2026/09/looming-crisis-u-s-transmissible.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/246/looming-crisis-prion-cattle-cervid
TUESDAY, APRIL 07, 2026
APHIS USDA Captive CWD Herds Update by State March 2026 Update
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/243/aphis-captive-herd-status-september
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/09/aphis-captive-herd-cwd-status-september.html
USA Report, Scrapie, CWD, BSE, TSE, Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Cervid, Humans, Zoonotic, 2026
April 2026
https://fdabse589.blogspot.com/2026/04/usa-report-scrapie-cwd-bse-tse-cattle.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403956772_USA_Report_Scrapie_CWD_BSE_TSE_Cattle_Sheep_Pigs_Cervid_Humans_Zoonotic_2026
SUNDAY, AUGUST 09, 2026
***> Chronic Wasting Disease CWD and Population Declines of Cervid
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/08/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-and.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/229/cwd-prion-population-declines-cervid
***> 1. 01 Determined that white-tailed deer (WTD) infected with scrapie from sheep can transmit the disease to other deer under conditions mimicking natural exposure.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/project/?accnNo=440677&fy=202
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=336834
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/8/24-0007_article
cwd tse prion, cattle, pigs, sheep, primates, oh my! Prion Conference 2023
Transmission of the chronic wasting disease agent from elk to cattle after oronasal exposure
Justin Greenlee, Jifeng Bian, Zoe Lambert, Alexis Frese, and Eric Cassmann Virus and Prion Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, USDA-ARS, Ames, IA, USA
Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility of cattle to chronic wasting disease agent from elk.
Materials and Methods: Initial studies were conducted in bovinized mice using inoculum derived from elk with various genotypes at codon 132 (MM, LM, LL). Based upon attack rates, inoculum (10% w/v brain homogenate) from an LM132 elk was selected for transmission studies in cattle. At approximately 2 weeks of age, one wild type steer (EE211) and one steer with the E211K polymorphism (EK211) were fed 1 mL of brain homogenate in a quart of milk replacer while another 1 mL was instilled intranasally. The cattle were examined daily for clinical signs for the duration of the experiment. One steer is still under observation at 71 months post-inoculation (mpi).
Results: Inoculum derived from MM132 elk resulted in similar attack rates and incubation periods in mice expressing wild type or K211 bovine PRNP, 35% at 531 days post inoculation (dpi) and 27% at 448 dpi, respectively. Inoculum from LM132 elk had a slightly higher attack rates in mice: 45% (693 dpi) in wild type cattle PRNP and 33% (468) in K211 mice. Inoculum from LL132 elk resulted in the highest attack rate in wild type bovinized mice (53% at 625 dpi), but no K211 mice were affected at >700 days. At approximately 70 mpi, the EK211 genotype steer developed clinical signs suggestive of prion disease, depression, low head carriage, hypersalivation, and ataxia, and was necropsied. Enzyme immunoassay (IDEXX) was positive in brainstem (OD=4.00, but non-detect in retropharyngeal lymph nodes and palatine tonsil. Immunoreactivity was largely limited to the brainstem, midbrain, and cervical spinal cord with a pattern that was primarily glia-associated.
“Conclusions: Cattle with the E211K polymorphism are susceptible to the CWD agent after oronasal exposure of 0.2 g of infectious material.”
Strain characterization of chronic wasting disease in bovine-PrP transgenic mice
Conclusions: Altogether, these results exhibit the diversity of CWD strains present in the panel of CWD isolates and the ability of at least some CWD isolates to infect bovine species. Cattle being one of the most important farming species, this ability represents a potential threat to both animal and human health, and consequently deserves further study.
Prion 2023 Congress Organizing Committee and the NeuroPrion Association, we invite you to join us for the International Conference Prion2023 from 16-20 October 2023 in Faro, Portugal.
https://prion2023.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Meeting-book-final-version2.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20250828201533/https://prion2023.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Meeting-book-final-version2.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Syed-Zahid-Shah/publication/378314391_Meeting-book-final-version_prion_2023/links/65d44dad28b7720cecdca95f/Meeting-book-final-version-prion-2023.pdf
don’t forget the pigs, outbreak of cwd in pigs in Texas and Arkansas;
Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America Preliminary Outbreak Assessment DEFRA 26 January 2026 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Preliminary Outbreak Assessment
Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America
26 January 2026
Disease report
“They analysed over 300 brain and lymph node samples from 178 wild pigs living across Arkansas and Texas, USA…the researchers identified CWD prions in up to 37% of the lymph node samples and 15% of brain samples. The lowest detection rates were in the Texas samples (below 16%), matching the lower CWD prevalence in the state’s cervid population.”
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697a3b013c71d838df6bd413/CWD_Prions_in_Cervids_and_Wild_Pigs_in_North_America.pdf
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Preliminary Outbreak Assessment
Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America
26 January 2026
Disease report
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of cervids, such as deer, elk, moose and reindeer. It is caused by prions – infectious proteins that cause normal cellular prion proteins to misfold (CIDRAP, 2025). The disease is widespread in captive and free-ranging cervids in North America (Figure 1). For the first time, CWD prions have also been detected in the tissues of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) caught in CWD-affected areas of the USA (Soto et al. 2025). This discovery emerged from a study designed to investigate potential interactions between wild pigs and CWD prions, as wild pigs often coexist with cervids, which can shed prions into the environment. The following assessment discusses the epidemiology of CWD in North America and the detection of CWD prions in wild pigs. It also considers the potential implications for Great Britain.
Conclusion
CWD has continued to spread among captive and free-ranging cervids in North America since it was first detected in the 1960s. The finding of CWD prions in wild pigs in the USA suggests they could contribute towards transmission of the disease, influencing its epidemiology, geographic distribution and interspecies spread. However, further research is needed to confirm this. CWD has never been reported in Great Britain and the current risk of CWD prions being introduced into Great Britain’s wild pig or cervid population ranges from very low to negligible.
Readers are reminded to be vigilant for signs of CWD. Information on how to spot the disease can be found here. Suspected cases must be reported immediately to the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, call 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Authors • Lawrence Finn • Dr. Lauren Perrin • John Spiropoulos • Dr. Helen RobertsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
References
snip…see full report;
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697a3b013c71d838df6bd413/CWD_Prions_in_Cervids_and_Wild_Pigs_in_North_America.pdf
Detection of Prions in Wild Pigs (Sus scrofa) from Areas with Reported Chronic Wasting Disease Cases, United State Volume 31, Number 1—January 2025
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-0401_article
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026
Chronic wasting disease prions in cervids and wild pigs in North America Preliminary Outbreak
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.01800-25
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/1/24-0401_article
https://media.ark.org/agri/Moore_2017_Swine_CWD.pdf
https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2026/01/chronic-wasting-disease-prions-in.html
***> cwd to sheep
Chronic Wasting Disease CWD vs Scrapie TSE Prion
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=410511
Detection of infectivity in orally inoculated pigs using mouse bioassay raises the possibility that naturally exposed pigs could act as a reservoir of CWD infectivity. Currently, swine rations in the U.S. could contain animal derived components including materials from deer or elk. In addition, feral swine could be exposed to infected carcasses in areas where CWD is present in wildlife populations. The current feed ban in the U.S. is based exclusively on keeping tissues from TSE infected cattle from entering animal feeds. These results indicating the susceptibility of pigs to CWD, coupled with the limitations of the current feed ban, indicates that a revision of the feed ban may be necessary to protect swine production and potentially human health.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=353091
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/project/?accnNo=432011&fy=2017
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=337105
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publication/?seqNo115=326166
Research Project: Elucidating the Pathobiology and Transmission of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies
Location: Virus and Prion Research
Title: Differentiation of scrapie from chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer
Accomplishments
1. 01 Determined that white-tailed deer (WTD) infected with scrapie from sheep can transmit the disease to other deer under conditions mimicking natural exposure. It has long been suggested that prion disease in deer (chronic wasting disease (CWD)) was caused by the prion agent from sheep. The prion disease that affects sheep, scrapie, has been recognized for hundreds of years. However, chronic wasting disease, a similar disease found in WTD, has only been recognized since the 1960s. ARS researchers in Ames, Iowa, showed that white-tailed deer sick with scrapie from sheep can infect other deer under conditions mimicking natural exposure. Furthermore, this work shows that CWD is difficult to differentiate from WTD infected with scrapie. WTD scrapie prions accumulate in the lymphoreticular system in a manner similar to CWD, meaning that environmental contamination may occur through feces, saliva, and other body fluids of scrapie affected WTD as has been shown for CWD. The presence of WTD infected with scrapie could confound mitigation efforts for chronic wasting disease. This information informs regulatory officials, the farmed cervid industry, and officials tasked with protecting animal health such as state Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, or Parks and Wildlife with regard to a disease similar to CWD but arising from sheep scrapie that could be present in WTD that have contact with scrapie affected sheep and/or goats.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/project/?accnNo=440677&fy=202
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Hazard identification for the risks to terrestrial animal health from the import of hay and straw, BSE, CWD, Scrapie, TSE, Prion
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hazard-identification-for-the-risks-to-terrestrial-animal-health-from-the-import-of-hay-and-straw/hazard-identification-for-the-risks-to-terrestrial-animal-health-from-the-import-of-hay-and-straw
https://defrauktseprp.blogspot.com/2026/06/hazard-identification-for-risks-to.html
***> Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion, Economical, Environmental, Zoonotic, Risk Factors 2026
https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2026/02/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse-prion.html
***> USA Report, Scrapie, CWD, BSE, TSE, Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Cervid, Humans, Zoonotic, 2026
April 2026
https://fdabse589.blogspot.com/2026/04/usa-report-scrapie-cwd-bse-tse-cattle.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403956772_USA_Report_Scrapie_CWD_BSE_TSE_Cattle_Sheep_Pigs_Cervid_Humans_Zoonotic_2026
***> Cervid CWD TSE PrP Transmission to Humans, has it already happened and being masked as sporadic CJD, What if? July 2026 Review
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/07/cervid-cwd-tse-prp-transmission-to.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/224/cervid-transmission-humans-july-review
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026
Limited transmission of cervid prions to nonhuman primates provides insights into the zoonotic potential of chronic wasting disease
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aeb7613
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/05/limited-transmission-of-cervid-prions.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/220/limited-transmission-cervid-nonhuman-primates
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
A new chapter for CWRU’s Prion Center
https://prionunitusaupdate.blogspot.com/2026/09/a-new-chapter-for-cwrus-prion-center.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/239/new-chapter-cwru-prion-center
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
Hazard identification for the risks to terrestrial animal health from the import of hay and straw, BSE, CWD, Scrapie, TSE, Prion
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hazard-identification-for-the-risks-to-terrestrial-animal-health-from-the-import-of-hay-and-straw/hazard-identification-for-the-risks-to-terrestrial-animal-health-from-the-import-of-hay-and-straw
https://defrauktseprp.blogspot.com/2026/06/hazard-identification-for-risks-to.html
***> Chronic Wasting Disease CWD TSE Prion, Economical, Environmental, Zoonotic, Risk Factors 2026
https://transmissiblespongiformencephalopathy.blogspot.com/2026/02/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd-tse-prion.html
***> USA Report, Scrapie, CWD, BSE, TSE, Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Cervid, Humans, Zoonotic, 2026
April 2026
https://fdabse589.blogspot.com/2026/04/usa-report-scrapie-cwd-bse-tse-cattle.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403956772_USA_Report_Scrapie_CWD_BSE_TSE_Cattle_Sheep_Pigs_Cervid_Humans_Zoonotic_2026
***> Cervid CWD TSE PrP Transmission to Humans, has it already happened and being masked as sporadic CJD, What if? July 2026 Review
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/07/cervid-cwd-tse-prp-transmission-to.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/224/cervid-transmission-humans-july-review
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2026
Limited transmission of cervid prions to nonhuman primates provides insights into the zoonotic potential of chronic wasting disease
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aeb7613
https://chronic-wasting-disease.blogspot.com/2026/05/limited-transmission-of-cervid-prions.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/220/limited-transmission-cervid-nonhuman-primates
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
A new chapter for CWRU’s Prion Center
https://prionunitusaupdate.blogspot.com/2026/09/a-new-chapter-for-cwrus-prion-center.html
https://prpsc.proboards.com/thread/239/new-chapter-cwru-prion-center
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
posted by Terry S. Singeltary Sr. at
2:45 PM
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