Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a disease of the nervous system that affects cervids, including deer, elk, caribou and moose. Caused by a prion, or abnormal protein, CWD results in nervous system degeneration. As the disease progresses, the infected animal begins to display abnormal behavior, weight loss and loss of control of normal bodily functions. Animals may show no visible signs of illness for a year or more after infection, as a result infected animals can spread CWD even if they look healthy. CWD is contagious, with infectious prions passed between animals and from contaminated environments, including plants and soil. Prions may remain in the environment and be infectious for many years. There is no known treatment or cure.

The elk had observable symptoms of CWD such as extreme thinness, decreased social interaction and loss of awareness and altered posture. Refuge protocol is to euthanize all elk exhibiting CWD symptoms to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease. After the animal was humanely euthanized, refuge biologists collected and sent a sample for testing to a laboratory specializing in wildlife disease, managed by Wyoming Game and Fish Department. After the initial positive test, an additional sample was sent to a third-party laboratory for final confirmation per state and refuge testing protocols.

Yes, the presence of CWD on the refuge will require the refuge to increase monitoring and surveillance of elk and bison herds for CWD and implement additional bio-security protocols to keep people and wildlife safe. Any changes will be shared with visitors and the public. The National Elk Refuge Chronic Wasting Disease Response Strategy contains the details for next steps.

Hunting will continue on the refuge in accordance with existing state and refuge hunting regulations. Sampling for CWD is already mandatory for all elk harvested on the refuge and will continue. The refuge will continue working with Wyoming Game and Fish Department to manage the refuge elk hunt, including potentially extending the hunting season to facilitate increased elk harvest and timing of harvest. 

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) there is no strong evidence that CWD infects humans, but research is ongoing. The CDC does not recommend consuming CWD- positive animals. The Wyoming Health Department has information on human health from diseases like CWD. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has information on their website about hunting in areas with CWD, including handling precautions. 

Per the National Elk Refuge Chronic Wasting Disease Response Strategy, the carcass of any elk that exhibits CWD symptoms is removed from the landscape as soon as possible and disposed of in the refuge’s incinerator.