BOZEMAN — The first suspected case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been found in Gallatin County.
Initial test results by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) identified a white-tailed buck deer as being suspect of carrying the prion disease.
The deer was showing classic symptoms of the disease earlier this month in the Springhill area north of Bozeman, before being euthanized.
This is the first detection of CWD in Gallatin County.
CWD was first detected in Montana in 2017 and is known to exist along the state’s southern and northern borders, as well as in neighboring states and provinces. The first detection of CWD in southwest Montana was in December near Sheridan.
The disease is always fatal, affecting the nervous system of deer, elk and moose. Transmission most commonly occurs through direct contact between animals. Carcasses and bodily fluids of infected animals can also be sources of infection for other cervids that come into contact with them.
CWD is not known to be transmissible to humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against consuming animals that have tested positive for CWD.
For more information about CWD and Montana’s response, can be found here.
