Maryland Department of Natural Resources expands area for managing chronic wasting disease after 52 deer test positive

MARYLAND ( DC News Now ) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said that 52 deer sampled in 2023 tested positive for a neurological disease that occurs in deer, elk and moose — including three deer from outside the current disease management area.

The DNR said that from 1,080 samples taken from deer in Allegany, Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery and Washington counties, 52 tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD).

Forty-nine of those came from the previously established management area for CWD — but Baltimore and Montgomery counties were not included in that. The DNR said that one positive sample came from Baltimore County and two positive samples came from Montgomery County.

Because of these positive samples, the DNR expanded the management area to include the entirety of those two counties.

The DNR said that the state started monitoring CWD in 1999. Its first confirmed case was in Allegany County in 2011.

CWD is fatal in deer that it affects. The DNR said that deer in the later stages of the disease may show symptoms in the form of weight loss, behavioral changes, excessive drooling, loss of fear of humans and more.

Officials believe the disease is spread from one animal to another through saliva, urine and semen or through contact with something that is contaminated.

The DNR said that the disease should not keep anyone from hunting deer or eating venison overall — researchers do not believe that CWD can be transmitted to humans, but to be safe, you should avoid eating the meat of any infected deer and avoid eating the brain, lymph nodes or spinal column of any deer.

You can find more information about CWD in Maryland online.

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