Can Humans Get CWD?

by Jennifer Smith January 22, 2019

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal neurological disease in cervid species. Because the disease passes from animal to animal, many deer hunters and deer meat lovers are asking "Can I get CWD?"

As of 2016, there haven't been reported cases of Chronic Wasting Disease in humans. A study conducted at the Alberta Prion Research Institute recently discovered that the disease can be spread to monkeys who've eaten infected deer meat; but for humans, it's safe to say that deer meat can be consumed. It's up to individuals to decide if they want to take the chance at eating infected deer meat - similar to deer with Lyme Disease.

Deer farmers are on high alert for CWD and must protect deer herds with deer fencing. In Wisconsin, deer farmers need electric fencing, or a secondary barrier around a primary fence.

Chronic Wasting Disease has been discovered in 23 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.