Chronic wasting disease confirmed in two deer harvested in Wyoming and illegally transported to Oregon

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists confirmed Monday that two mule deer caught in Wyoming and illegally transported to Oregon last Thursday tested positive for chronic wasting disease. To date, CWD has not been detected in any wild deer or elk in Oregon.

It is illegal to import or possess all or part of a deer (deer/elk family) carcass into Oregon from another state or country, except for certain permitted parts.

“This incident highlights the importance of complying with Oregon’s parts ban, as well as the possible consequences of failing to do so,” said Corey Crossley, ODFW CWD surveillance biologist.

Carcasses can still spread the disease if infected animal parts are not properly disposed of. The pathogen that causes CWD can remain in the soil for decades and infect countless animals. Transporting CWD-infected animals and their parts from another state is one of the most likely ways for the disease to enter Oregon.

“Hunters are our first and best line of defense against CWD. If you hunt out of state, follow the law and come back with memories, meat and a clean head,” Crossley added.

In violation of the parts ban, three Oregonians harvested deer in Wyoming and returned to Oregon, bringing skulls back to the state with brain material and/or meat still attached to the skull. CWD testing in Wyoming informed hunters that two of three deer harvested tested positive for CWD.

Hunters contacted ODFW to coordinate proper disposal and transfer of the animals. Illegal parts brought into Oregon are confiscated and individuals may be charged for disposal. Oregon State Police have issued citations and confiscated parts are being disposed of by incineration.

The following parts may be transported to Oregon:

• Meat cut and packaged for commercial or private purposes;
• Boneless meat;
• Quarters or other portions of meat without part of the backbone or head;
• Headless skins and/or cloaks;
• Skull plates with horns attached that have been cleared of meat and brain tissue;
• Whole skulls processed to remove all meat and brain tissue.
• Antlers (including velvet antlers) without attached brain tissue;
• Upper canines (i.e. trumpeters, whistles, ivories);
• Ready-made European style taxidermy heads and ready-made skull mounts.

CWD is always fatal to infected animals and they will not always appear sick. Its overall impact on populations could be significant if no action is taken to slow its spread. Deer and elk can become infected with this disease and spread it for years.

CWD is not curable without a vaccine and treatment. No state where CWD has been detected has ever successfully eradicated the disease.

There is no evidence that CWD infects humans, but the CDC does not recommend that people eat meat from an animal infected with CWD.

Visit MyODFW for more information on CWD: https://myodfw.com/CWD.