Delaware Reports First Case of Chronic Wasting Disease

Delaware has announced its first confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a wild white-tailed deer. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) revealed this information following confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory. The affected deer was harvested by a hunter as part of a routine surveillance program. Additionally, another deer has tested presumptive positive at a lab in Pennsylvania and is pending confirmation.

Both confirmed cases originated from white-tailed deer in Sussex County, and DNREC has reached out to the hunters involved. Since 2003, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife has conducted annual CWD surveillance, testing nearly 13,000 samples, with these two positive samples emerging from over 600 collected during the 2025-26 hunting season.

CWD is a serious disease affecting the brain and nervous systems of cervids, such as deer, elk, and moose. It’s caused by infectious proteins called prions. The disease can affect animals six months or older and is spread through bodily fluids, like saliva and urine, either through direct contact or indirectly via contaminated environments. Though no treatments or vaccines exist, the CDC advises hunters in CWD-affected areas to test their game before consumption if harvested.

Following the detection of CWD, DNREC implemented its CWD Response Plan. A CWD Management Zone was established around the area where the affected deer was found, necessitating cluster sampling to identify potential additional cases. The management area includes specific wildlife zones, and hunters in this location may receive updates as the situation evolves.

Officials aim to assess the spread of the disease by working with wildlife disease experts and expanding sampling if more positives are found. Community meetings are planned to keep residents informed. Looking ahead to the next deer season, Delaware intends to require mandatory check-ins for deer in this management zone for CWD testing.

CWD has been detected in a total of 37 states, marking its first occurrence in Delaware, which is also notable as it expands on prior sightings on the Delmarva Peninsula.

To help prevent the spread of CWD, the public is urged to follow certain guidelines:

• Avoid moving live deer.
• Refrain from feeding or providing water to wild deer.
• Dispose of deer carcasses responsibly and do not transport carcasses into or out of the management area.
• Report any sick or unusual deer, noting signs like weight loss or abnormal behavior.
• Avoid hunting or consuming meat from visibly ill animals.
• Do not interact with carcasses found in the environment.
• Opt for synthetic products over natural deer urine.

While recreational deer hunting is currently closed for the season in Delaware, farmers participating in assistance programs should still adhere to these precautions. The Delaware Department of Agriculture is also emphasizing strict biosecurity protocols on cervid farms to limit contact between captive and wild animals. Any deaths on these farms must be promptly reported and tested.

Ongoing surveillance efforts to understand and monitor CWD will continue in Delaware. For more details, including the response plan and guidelines, visit the DNREC webpage dedicated to CWD.