Springfield, Illinois- Chronic wasting disease has recently been detected in four additional counties in Illinois, marking an expansion of the geographic reach of the illness in free-ranging deer populations in the northern part of the state. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources revealed that Putnam, Marshall, Adams, and Peoria counties are now included in the list of areas affected by CWD.
The presence of CWD outside of the typical endemic region is a cause for concern as Adams County recorded its first documented case of the disease, signaling a potential spread of the always-fatal neurological illness to new areas. First identified in Illinois back in 2002 near Roscoe, CWD has since spread to 25 counties across northern Illinois and now as far south as Adams County in the west-central part of the state.
In early February 2025, diagnostic testing confirmed the presence of CWD in Putnam, Marshall, and Adams counties through routine surveillance of deer harvested by hunters. Additionally, a 2-year-old deer in Peoria County showed clinical signs consistent with CWD infection, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring and testing within the deer population.
Illinois has been praised for its proactive approach to managing and containing the spread of CWD, with IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie emphasizing the state’s role as a national leader in CWD management. Despite assurances from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that CWD has not been linked to human transmission, caution is advised against consuming meat from CWD-positive deer.
Hunters are urged to have their deer tested and to avoid consuming certain tissues that are known to harbor the CWD agent, such as the brain, spinal cord, and eyes. With the expansion of CWD into new counties in Illinois, continued vigilance and proactive measures will be key in managing the disease and protecting both deer populations and public health.