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).
To protect our native North American cervid populations, wildlife agencies are trying to slow the spread of the disease and prevent introduction to new areas. WAFWA is actively involved in helping member agencies navigate this effort.
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.
Hunters are a 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 (Hazard’) 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 view the Chronic Wasting Disease Fact Sheet (PDF, 580KB) developed by WAFWA’s Mule Deer Working Group
Shared Resources
Interagency CWD Portal
WAFWA’s Wildlife Health Committee provides a platform to share CWD resources with our member agencies. This password-protected portal is made available to …
Other Resources
Tracking Distribution
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).