Chronic wasting disease

Deer with a positive case of chronic wasting disease, near Myton, Utah.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a relatively rare transmissible disease that affects the nervous systems of deer, elk and moose. Infected animals develop brain lesions, become emaciated, appear listless and have droopy ears, may salivate excessively and eventually die. There is no evidence that CWD naturally infects domestic livestock. Chronic wasting disease has been detected in free-ranging and captive cervids in multiple states and Canadian provinces (view a map). Recently, CWD was also detected in free-ranging reindeer and moose in Scandinavia.

Check CWD test results

Update:

Here are the CWD sampling areas for the 2025-26 hunting season:

• Beaver East
• Beaver West
• Box Elder
• Cache
• Cedar/Stansbury
• East Canyon
• Fillmore B
• Fillmore Oak Creek
• La Sal Mtns
• La Sal Dolores Triangle
• Manti/San Rafael
• Nine Mile
• Ogden
• Oquirrh/Tintic
• Pine Valley
• Southwest Desert
• Wasatch Mtns West
• Wasatch Mtns East

Download a PDF of the sampling areas map here. Also view the distribution of CWD cases in Utah.

Where is it in Utah?

Chronic wasting disease has been found in three different geographic areas within Utah (view a map). The disease was first discovered in Utah in 2002 in a buck taken during the rifle hunt near Vernal. A second positive was discovered in Utah in early 2003, when a mule deer doe that died in an agricultural field near Moab, Utah, also tested positive. Chronic wasting disease was detected in a third in late 2003 when a mule deer doe taken in a depredation situation near Fountain Green tested positive. As of Sept. 20, 2024, 262 mule deer and six elk have tested positive for CWD in Utah.

What causes it?

Chronic wasting disease is caused by small proteinaceous infectious particles called prions. Prion-caused diseases are known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) and include Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or "Mad Cow Disease" in cattle), Scrapie (in sheep and goats) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD, in humans). Infected animals may shed prions in urine, feces and saliva. Transmission may occur directly through contact with an infected animal or indirectly through environmental contamination. Prions are extremely resistant in the environment and can stay infectious for years. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the risk of transmission from animals to humans is considered extremely low.

To date, there has never been any direct evidence that CWD can be transmitted from animals to humans. Recently, preliminary results from a laboratory research project funded by the Alberta Prion Research Institute and Alberta Livestock Meat Agency, and led by a Canadian Food Inspection Agency scientist indicated that CWD has been transmitted to cynomolgus macaques through intracranial and oral routes of exposure. Both infected brain and muscle tissues were found to transmit disease to the macaques.

The CDC recommends not consuming meat from CWD infected animals. Read more information from the CDC about CWD.

Precautions

Hunters should not harvest animals that appear sick, nor should they eat meat from suspect animals. The DWR advises hunters to take these simple precautions when handling the carcass of any deer or elk:

• Do not handle or consume wild game animals that appear sick. Instead, contact your local DWR office and notify them of the location of the sick animal.
• Do not consume meat from animals known to be infected with CWD.
• Wear rubber or latex gloves when field dressing big game.
• On all deer, bone out the meat, and avoid consuming the brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen and lymph nodes of harvested animals.
• Minimize handling of soft tissues and fluids. Wash hands with soap and warm water after handling any parts of the carcass.
• Knives, saws and cutting table surfaces should be disinfected using a solution of 50 percent household bleach for at least an hour.
• Please contact the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for additional information or if you see a sick animal while hunting.

Photo courtesy Wyoming Game & Fish

Photo courtesy Wyoming Game & Fish

What is DWR currently doing about CWD?

The DWR has a monitoring and management plan for CWD that shares factual information with the public, provides early detection, and prevents or minimizes the spread of the disease.

Prior to 2020, units where CWD was previously detected were sampled on an annual basis to monitor the prevalence and distribution of the disease. Units where CWD had not been detected in the past were sampled on a rotational basis in order to detect potential new areas of infection as early as possible.

As of 2020, all units will be sampled on a 5-year rotation, including CWD-positive units. The objective of this type of targeted surveillance is to sample an adequate number of deer that will allow the detection of even a small occurrence of CWD with a high degree of confidence. The removal of symptomatic animals continues on all wildlife management units throughout the state annually. Hunters can help with CWD surveillance efforts by stopping at hunter check stations and allowing the DWR to sample their deer.

Sampling methods

The medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes of mule deer in all sample units, as well as elk from positive deer units, are collected. All samples are sent to the Utah State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UVDL) in Logan, Utah, for analysis. UVDL has been approved by the National Veterinary Sciences Laboratory (NVSL) to test for chronic wasting disease. UVDL uses the IDEXX HerdChek CWD Antigen EIA (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME) and the PRECESS 48 system, (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Life Science Group, Hercules, CA) as rapid tests. Any positives that are detected by the Bio-Rad or IDEXX systems are verified using the "gold standard" Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay test.

Carcass regulations

The DWR has taken measures to prohibit the import of deer, elk and moose carcasses from known infection areas. Only the following parts of wild deer, elk and moose may be imported from designated infection areas from other states.

• Meat that is cut and wrapped either commercially or privately
• Quarters or other portion of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached
• Meat that is boned out
• Hides with no heads attached
• Skulls and skull plates with antlers attached that have been cleaned of all brain matter and spinal column matter
• Antlers with no meat or tissue attached
• Upper canine teeth known as buglers, whistlers or ivories
• Finished taxidermy heads

It is unlawful to import dead mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, caribou, reindeer, or their parts, except for the carcass parts listed above, from states or provinces where CWD has been detected:

• Alberta
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Non-residents transporting harvested deer, elk, or moose carcasses through Utah may do so if they do not stay in Utah more than 24 hours, do not leave any part of the animal carcass in Utah, and do not have their deer, elk, or moose processed in Utah.

How can hunters help?

Immediately report all deer that appear sick or emaciated to a DWR office, biologist or officer. The DWR will attempt to locate the animal and remove a tissue sample from the head for testing.

• Salt Lake Office: 801-538-4700
• Southeastern Region: 435-613-3700
• Central Region: 801-491-5678
• Northeastern Region: 435-781-9453
• Southern Region: 435-865-6100
• Northern Region: 801-476-2740

Hunters harvesting animals from areas where testing is needed may be requested to cooperate by removing the cape from the deer or elk in the field or by taking the head to a Division office immediately after it is caped. The DWR can then remove a lymph node sample for testing.

Can hunters have their deer or elk tested for CWD?

The DWR has implemented an aggressive surveillance plan to target deer in specific units throughout the state. CWD infection in the endemic areas of Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska are found in less than one percent of wild elk populations and one to 15 percent of wild deer populations. Therefore, testing strategies mainly target deer and not elk, although the DWR will test any deer or elk exhibiting clinical symptoms of CWD. Hunters who have harvested a deer in one of the CWD sampling units, or who harvest an elk in a CWD-positive area, are requested to take their animal to the DWR's Salt Lake, Ogden, Vernal or Cedar City offices (appointment required) or to a wildlife check station to have a tissue sample removed for testing. To qualify for testing, the animal must be older than one year old and the lymph nodes must be intact without having rotted. Hunters may view the results on the Internet after allowing six to eight weeks for processing.

Hunters who harvest an animal in a non-target sampling unit, but still wish to have their deer or elk tested for chronic wasting disease, may do so at a cost by providing the head to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Logan, Utah or the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Spanish Fork, Utah. In this case, the DWR will remove a sample from any harvested deer or elk, but the hunter is responsible for getting the sample to the lab and for paying the $25 testing fee. Deer and elk must be older than one year of age to be eligible for testing.

• Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Lab
  950 E 1400 N
  Logan, UT 84322
  435-797-1895

• Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Lab
  514 W 3000 North
  Spanish Fork, UT 84660
  801-798-5435

More information

CWD test results

Maps

Regulations by state

2007 special report

Important links

Avian influenza and wild birds

Tundra swan

Avian influenza viruses naturally occur in wild birds, especially waterfowl and shorebirds, and infections typically cause few, if any, symptoms. The virus is spread among birds through nasal and oral discharges and fecal droppings, and can persist in the environment for long periods of time. Avian influenza viruses have many different strains, and are categorized as low pathogenic (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI) based on their infectivity to domestic poultry.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses are very contagious among birds and can cause rapid and high mortality in domestic poultry, such as chickens and domestic ducks. Highly pathogenic avian influenza can occasionally also cause mortality in wild birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and scavengers.

Confirmed cases in Utah

The last outbreak in the United States occurred in 2014–15, when highly pathogenic H5 strains of avian influenza (H5N2 and H5N8) were detected in wild birds of the Pacific, Central and Mississippi flyways. Of these, H5N2 caused outbreaks of avian influenza in domestic poultry and turkeys in multiple U.S. states. Neither strain resulted in human infections. During that outbreak, highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in two healthy ducks in Utah, which were tested in association with enhanced surveillance activities in December 2014 and August 2015.

In January 2022, a new highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak was confirmed. The first wild and domestic birds that tested positive were on the U.S. East Coast, and the virus has since spread west into Utah. In April 2022, HPAI was confirmed in domestic birds in Utah after a backyard flock of poultry in Utah County tested positive. The same month, it was confirmed in wild birds in Utah after a great horned owl in Cache County tested positive. As of Feb. 11, 2025, a total of 122 birds, one mountain lion, several skunks and three red foxes have tested positive for avian influenza in 16 counties. The birds infected with the virus include raptors and waterbirds, specifically Canada geese, snow geese, great horned owls, hawks, pelicans, turkey vultures, grebes, gulls, ravens and ducks.

View the updated avian flu dashboard.

Although the current strain of the avian flu presents a low risk to people, it has been confirmed in 68 humans, with one death, during this most recent outbreak. Visit the CDC website for more information on keeping yourself safe.

Surveillance for avian influenza in Utah birds by the DWR

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is continuing to monitor for unusual mortality events in wild birds, especially in waterfowl and other water birds; gallinaceous birds such as quail and turkeys; scavenger birds such as crows and ravens; and birds of prey such as eagles, owls and other raptors.

We request that any groups (five or more birds) of dead waterfowl, shorebirds, wild turkeys or quail (not found near power lines or roads), as well as dead raptors and scavengers found near waterfowl habitats, be reported to a local DWR office or by calling 801-538-4700. Please do not pick up the carcass.

Mortalities or questions regarding domestic birds should be directed to the State Veterinarian's office at 801-982-2200 or by calling the USDA toll free at 866-536-7593.

Recommendations for the general public and hunters

• The general public should observe wildlife, including wild birds, from a distance. This protects you from possible exposure to pathogens and minimizes disturbance to the animal.
• Do not harvest, handle or eat any animal that appears sick. Please report any large group of dead waterfowl (five or more birds) to local wildlife authorities immediately.
• Field dress game animals in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.
• Avoid direct contact with the intestines.
• Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handling and cleaning birds. Wash your hands with soap and water, and thoroughly clean all knives, equipment and surfaces that come in contact with the birds. Disinfect using a 10% chlorine bleach solution.
• Keep your game birds cool, clean and dry.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game or handling animals.
• All game meat should be thoroughly cooked before eating (well-done or 165° F).
• Dogs are susceptible to HPAI, but don't often show clinical signs. Though the risk of infection is low, visit the DWR website to identify the locations with active cases of avian flu in wild birds and avoid those areas when using retrievers. Consult your local veterinarian if your dog exhibits any respiratory symptoms.
• If you have domestic poultry, keep them separated from the wild bird carcasses you have harvested, and do not handle poultry after handling wild birds.
• Hunters should be aware that the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is implementing restrictions on hunter harvested wild bird meat and carcasses from Canada.

Recommendations for people who may handle wild birds

Recommendations for falconers

Birds of prey are susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses which are typically transmitted from eating infected birds. We advise falconers to avoid hunting wild birds or feeding wild species to birds of prey during this current highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak. Biosecurity practices with enhanced cleaning should be implemented, as well as limiting contact with other wild birds during this time. If any bird is showing clinical symptoms, consult a veterinarian immediately and quarantine from any other bird in the facility.

Recommendations for game bird facilities

Game birds, including quail, pheasants, turkeys and grouse are susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Practicing biosecurity and appropriate sanitation is the main way to protect your flock. We advise that you limit bird movement in and out of your facility, and prevent contact with wild birds. For more information, visit this website. We also recommend following the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommendations on protecting your flock.

Recommendations for wildlife rehabilitators

Wildlife rehabilitators are at the highest risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza entering your facility, due to taking in sick birds. Precautions should be taken to reduce the risk of HPAI from entering your facility and affecting any other birds. For in-depth guidelines and recommendations for your facility, contact your local DWR office.

Frequently asked questions

Question: Is there any risk of becoming infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus by feeding backyard birds or cleaning a bird feeder?

Answer: There is currently no evidence that suggests you could become infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus by feeding backyard birds. Generally, songbirds, or perching birds, (Passeriformes) are the primary type of birds at feeders, and they are usually not affected by HPAI. Most wild birds traditionally associated with avian influenza viruses are waterfowl, shorebirds and scavengers. It is unlikely that bird feeders will contribute to an outbreak among songbirds, but if someone also has backyard poultry, then we recommend removing bird feeders during the outbreak.

Songbirds are susceptible to other avian diseases. Therefore, we recommend that people without backyard poultry who feed birds routinely, clean their feeders and bird baths, and anyone who comes in direct contact with bird droppings should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water. Visit these links for more information:

• How to clean a bird feeder
• Songbird diseases encountered at bird feeders
• Avian influenza outbreak: Should you take down your bird feeders?

Question: Can humans catch avian influenza from wild birds?

Answer: Although the current strain of the avian flu presents a low risk to people, it has been confirmed in 68 people — mostly farm workers — during this most recent outbreak.

Question: Does the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources have a surveillance program for HPAI viruses?

Answer: We collaborate with federal agencies on a nationwide surveillance and monitoring program for HPAI virus in wild migratory birds. The DWR periodically tests hunter-harvested waterfowl to check for the presence of the HPAI virus. We also request that the public report any large group of dead waterfowl to local wildlife authorities immediately.

Question: Should I feed wild ducks, geese, and other waterfowl?

Answer: No. There are many reasons that you should not feed ducks and geese. Feeding ducks and geese increases the chance of spreading many diseases that are common among waterfowl, including avian influenza. It makes them tame and may cause them to become a nuisance as they lose their natural behaviors. Unnatural food items such as bread, popcorn, and even seeds have little nutritional value and can make birds sick. It is best to enjoy your local wildlife from a distance and under natural conditions!

Question: What can I do to protect my pets from avian influenza?

Answer: If you are worried about your pets, do not let them roam outside where they could be exposed to, or eat the remains of, sick or dead animals including wildlife. Many diseases can cause wild birds or other animals to get sick and die, and some of these diseases could be spread to pets that run free. There is no vaccine to protect pets against avian influenza.

Additional information

• USGS National Wildlife Health Center Avian Influenza Distribution Map
• U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Avian Influenza Information
• Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Confirmation of 2022 Avian Flu Case in Utah
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Utah State University Extension Avian Influenza information
• Environmental Protection Agency Avian Influenza information
• Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership Event Reporting System