MDARD confirms case of chronic wasting disease in Calhoun County deer
Wed, August 26, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Pictured are two bucks at Gull Prairie Reserve in Richland, Mich. Aug. 4, 2026. CWD was detected in a deer in Calhoun County, MDARD confirmed on Aug. 26, 2026. (Simon Thalmann/File/WWMT)
LANSING, Mich. —The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) confirmed cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in white tailed deer in three counties
MDARD confirmed CWD in an infected two and a half-year-old deer in Calhoun County, an infected four-year-old deer was detected in Kent County, and a three-year-old deer in Mackinac County, they said in a release Wednesday
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CWD is a progressive, fatal neurological disease that affects certain cervid species, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose
An infected animal may appear healthy for months or years before displaying abnormal behavior, weight loss, and physical debilitation
Cases have been found in multiple counties, including Kent, Lake, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola
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Investigations are currently underway by MDARD to rule out additional exposures to other farmed cervids
There are currently no reported cases of CWD in humans, though the World Health Organization advises against consuming CWD-infected animals as a precaution
More information about CWD can be found here
