First observed among captive mule deer in Fort Collins in 1967, CWD has since infected wild herds in 22 states and two Canadian provinces. It has also been found in South Korea and Norway. In that time, there’s been no report of human illness due to CWD exposure, but a recent Canadian study has renewed concerns the disease could make the jump.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers advice for deer hunters on its website:
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Strongly consider having the deer or elk tested for CWD before you eat the meat.
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If your animal tests positive for CWD, do not eat meat from that animal.
