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Chronic Wasting Disease: A Growing Threat to Ohio Deer
15 Feb
Summary
- Chronic wasting disease is spreading in Ohio deer populations.
- CWD prions can survive in soil, leading to persistent infections.
- Confirmed CWD cases in Ohio wild whitetails rose nearly 50%.
Ohio's deer population is grappling with the persistent and ominous threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This lethal malady, distinct from the more transient Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) that recently caused significant deer deaths, is spreading glacially. CWD is particularly concerning because it is caused by infectious prions that can linger in the soil, ensuring continued infection risk for new deer. Furthermore, infected animals do not develop immunity and the disease is always fatal.
First confirmed in a free-ranging whitetail in Wyandot County in 2020, CWD has since been detected in several other Ohio counties. By the start of the recent deer season, 73 wild whitetail cases were confirmed. This number climbed to 109 during the 2025-26 hunt, representing an almost 50% increase. The presence of confirmed cases in animals from outside the designated zone suggests the disease's spread may be more extensive than initially thought, potentially influenced by long-distance travel of young bucks or human activity.
While evidence of transmission to humans from consuming venison is scarce, prudence dictates avoiding meat from symptomatic deer. Special handling of carcasses is also advised. The escalating number of CWD cases is expected to influence upcoming deer hunting regulations for the 2026-27 season, with proposals to be released soon.
