Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious prion disease that affects members of the Cervidae family (“cervids”), which includes many native species in western North America, such as white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. CWD affects free-ranging and captive cervids in 35 U.S. states, including 20 WAFWA-member states, and five Canadian provinces of which three are WAFWA members (USGS 2024).
WAFWA is actively involved in helping western wildlife agencies protect our native North American cervid populations by trying to slow the spread of the disease and prevent introduction to new areas:
WAFWA SUPPORTED RESOURCES
Building Awareness
Unified Messaging by WAFWA Member Agencies to Out-of-State Hunters
In 2024, the Directors of WAFWA’s Member Agencies endorsed a regionwide hunter communication strategy to address concerns about interstate movement of CWD through carcass transportation. The effort was led by WAFWA’s Wildlife Health and Public Affairs Committees:
KEY POINTS
- Check carcass disposal and transport regulations in the states you hunt and reside.
- Visit the CWD Alliance website for timely, scientifically accurate information.
Hunters are critical for keeping herds healthy
Coming Soon
Expanded Surveillance Models to Address Western Cervid Populations
Cornell’s SOP4CWD researchers were awarded a USDA grant to collaborate with WAFWA to expand their surveillance model to address western cervid population dynamics and CWD risk factors. This project will begin with an expert elicitation process, where experts on western cervid ecology and CWD epidemiology will be asked to identify and weigh risk factors for the introduction and spread of CWD in western cervid populations. Visit the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab (SOP4CWD).
Featured Publication
Recommendations for Adaptive Management of Chronic Wasting Disease in the West
Recommendations for Adaptive Management of Chronic Wasting Disease in the West
WAFWA’s Wildlife Health Committee and Mule Deer Working Group developed “Recommendations for Adaptive Management of Chronic Wasting Disease in the West” to outline approaches for experimental application of CWD control strategies using an adaptive management framework.
Abstract: As this disease continues to spread through free-ranging populations in North America and elsewhere, viable management strategies are needed. This document outlines an approach for experimental application and assessment of prospective CWD suppression strategies using an adaptive management framework. The focus is on mule deer in western prairie, shrub-steppe, and southwest desert systems.
Also see the Chronic Wasting Disease Fact Sheet (PDF, 580KB) by WAFWA’s Mule Deer Working Group
Fact Sheet 39: Chronic Wasting Disease
Shared Resources
NEW ~ Interagency Portal to CWD Resources
WAFWA’s Wildlife Health Committee provides a platform to share CWD resources with our member agencies. This password-protected portal is made available through request of the committee, please visit the Wildlife Health Committee page.
Other Resources
USGS NWHC
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease
Data on CWD positive counties and states in the United States and yearly distribution maps. The data provided contains information on the known, available, documented distribution of CWD in the United States that is current as of the publication date. The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) tracks changes to the known distribution of CWD in the form of a map (HERE).
CWD Alliance
Providing timely, scientifically accurate information
The CWD Alliance and its partner organizations are committed to providing timely, scientifically accurate information regarding chronic wasting disease, its impacts on wildlife and humans, and recommendations for its control.Visit the CWD Alliance (HERE).
