Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been confirmed in Washtenaw County, making it the 15th Michigan county with the contagious neurological disorder. The finding was made thanks to a resident who reported a deer acting ill.
According to Chad Fedewa, acting DNR deer, elk and moose management specialist, the expansion of CWD is consistent with the slow spread seen throughout the state. “Every piece of data is valuable in helping us make science-based decisions,” he said.
CWD is a disease that affects deer, elk, and moose, causing brain degeneration and eventually death. Once infected, animals will not recover. It’s transmitted through direct contact or contaminated soil, saliva, urine, feces, or carcass parts.
Symptoms of CWD in deer include emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions, and eventual death. In most cases, animals don’t show symptoms until the last few months of the disease cycle.
The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the finding, which was also validated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa.
Humans are not considered to be at risk for CWD infection, but it’s possible if they consume meat or brain tissue from infected animals. Studies have shown that monkeys can contract the disease through consuming contaminated food.
Residents who spot a deer acting ill can report it online through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website. CWD testing sites are available across the state, and information on how to find them is available on the DNR website.
Source: https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2025/03/13/wild-deer-tests-postive-for-cwd-in-washtenaw-county