LIVINGSTON – Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was recently detected in a white-tailed deer doe that was harvested by a hunter in hunting district 317.

The deer was harvested near the junction of U.S. Highway 89 and Interstate 90, northeast of Livingston. This is the first time CWD has been detected in the district.

Samples from the deer will undergo a follow-up test to confirm the presence of CWD.

CWD is a contagious neurological disease that infects deer, elk and moose. It is always fatal, and there is no known cure. It was first detected in Montana’s wild herds in 2017. The disease is known to exist in other parts of southwest Montana, including the Paradise, Gallatin and Ruby valleys, as well as in other areas of the state.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff have conducted rotating surveillance for CWD throughout the state for several years. Hunting district 317 is within this year's priority surveillance area.
Hunters play a significant role in CWD management by providing test samples from harvested animals. FWP has provided resources to help hunters collect and submit samples for testing on their own. These resources and others can be found at fwp.mt.gov/cwd.

CWD is not known to infect humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people not eat meat from infected animals and have their harvested animals tested before eating them if they were taken from an area where CWD is known to exist. For more information on CDC recommendations, please visit go.usa.gov/xAcnc.