Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Division of Wildlife recently reported that 24 white-tailed deer taken during the 2024-25 hunting season tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This neurological disease is fatal to white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. A total of 5,783 deer were tested for the disease, with none of the CWD positive deer found in the Mahoning Valley.
CWD has been a growing concern among wildlife officials as there is currently no cure for the disease. While there is no strong evidence to suggest that CWD is transmissible to humans, precautions are still being taken to prevent its spread among deer populations. The Ohio Division of Wildlife has been actively monitoring and testing deer in the disease surveillance area since CWD was first discovered in the wild in 2020.
Since 2002, the Division of Wildlife has conducted routine surveillance for CWD, testing over 40,000 deer in total. The agency’s efforts in monitoring and testing deer are aimed at controlling the spread of CWD and protecting Ohio’s deer population from the devastating effects of the disease. Wildlife officials urge hunters to continue following safety guidelines and reporting any sick or abnormal-looking deer to help prevent the further spread of CWD.
To stay informed on the latest updates and developments regarding CWD in Ohio, the Division of Wildlife has made available a CWD dashboard for the public to access. This tool allows individuals to track the prevalence of CWD in deer populations and stay informed on the agency’s efforts to monitor and control the disease. As the threat of CWD continues to loom over Ohio’s deer population, wildlife officials are committed to taking proactive measures to ensure the health and sustainability of the state’s wildlife resources.