MICHIGAN
CWD found in farmed deer in 3 counties. What to know about disease
Dan BassoUSA TODAY NETWORK
Aug. 27, 2026, 10:12 a.m. ET
State officials this week said farmed white-tail deer in three Michigan counties tested positive for chronic wasting disease, a fatal disorder that affects multiple species
Chronic wasting disease was found in deer in Mackinac, Calhoun and Kent counties, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) said on Wednesday, Aug. 26
“These detections highlight why it is so vital to perform regular surveillance testing. Early detection allows for a prompt response, which helps limit the exposure of additional animals to this disease,” State Veterinarian Nora Wineland said. “While regular CWD surveillance testing is central to response efforts, MDARD’s ongoing partnership with herd owners, hunters, and other state and federal partners is crucial to effectively managing this disease. Ensuring the health of Michigan’s farmed cervid population has been and continues to be a team effort.”
The infected deer include a 2½-year-old in Calhoun County, an infected 4-year-old in Kent County, and a 3-year-old in Mackinac County. The first two herds were identified through the state’s CWD surveillance program for farmed deer, and the third was found as part of trace investigations from the Calhoun County herd
CWD is a progressive, fatal neurological disease that affects different cervid species, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose, MDARD said. CWD can be transmitted directly from one animal to another and indirectly through the environment. While an infected animal may appear healthy for months or years, it will eventually display abnormal behavior, progressive <a href="https://healthylife7.com/jelly-roll-jokes-about-weight-loss-method-cocaine-but-clarifies-he-means-diet-and-exercise/" title="Jelly Roll Jokes About Weight Loss Method: 'Cocaine' But Clarifies He Means Diet and Exercise”>weight loss, and physical debilitation in the later stages of the disease
The presence of CWD in farmed deer facilities is not new to Michigan, MDARD said. Prior to the latest detections, cases have been found across multiple counties, including CWD, a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, elk and moose has been detected in Allegan, Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Lake, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Newaygo, Osceola, Ogemaw and Washtenaw counties
Investigations are ongoing to rule out additional exposures to other farmed cervids
Michigan’s fall deer season gets underway in September with the early antlerless firearm and Liberty hunts opening Sept. 12. Regular firearm season is Nov. 15-30
There have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. However, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that CWD-infected animals should not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals
Since its discovery in 1967, CWD has spread geographically and increased in prevalence
CWD is contagious; it can be transmitted freely within and among cervid populations. No treatments or vaccines are currently available, the USGS says
In 1981, the first wild deer with CWD was reported. Since then, the disease has been reported in wild deer in 36 U.S. states, the Centers for Disease control says
How does CWD spread among animals?
Scientists think CWD spreads between animals through contact with saliva, blood, urine or feces from an animal with CWD, according to the CDC. Once an animal gets sick, the disease moves through the brain and spine, and eventually kills the animal
Signs to look for in deer
According to the CDC deer hunters and others should look for:
- Drastic weight loss (called wasting)
- Stumbling or lack of coordination
- Drooling
- Listlessness (appearing “out of it”)
- Excessive thirst or peeing
- Drooping ears
- Lack of fear of people
Can humans get CWD?
CWD prions, a type of protein that can trigger normal proteins in the brain to fold abnormally, don’t infect human brain tissue
The most common prion disease in people is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Another prion disease, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), has a similar name but is a different, much rarer, disease, according to the Center of Disease Control
There have been no reported cases of CWD infection in humans. However, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that CWD-infected animals should not be consumed as food by either humans or domestic animals
