Oregon Avoids Potential Chronic Wasting Disease Spread from Wyoming Deer Carcasses

Oregon recently avoided a potential outbreak of chronic wasting disease (CWD) after two hunters brought back deer carcasses from Wyoming that later tested positive for the disease, Cowboy Stated Daily reports.

The hunters, who had transported the “uncleaned heads” of mule deer harvested in the Cody area, discovered the infection after submitting the animals’ lymph nodes for CWD testing, as advised by Wyoming Game and Fish due to the disease’s prevalence.

Upon learning of the positive results, the hunters contacted the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), which promptly arranged for the carcass parts to be incinerated, preventing possible exposure. Despite this timely response, the hunters were cited for transporting prohibited deer parts into Oregon, where regulations prohibit importing carcass parts associated with brain or spinal tissue to prevent CWD spread.

Oregon is one of the few states where CWD has yet to be detected in its wildlife, including elk, mule deer, blacktail deer, and whitetail deer. However, the recent emergence of CWD in neighboring California and Washington has heightened concerns among Oregon wildlife officials, who are vigilant against potential cases in their state.

CWD, often described as “zombie deer disease,” is a fatal neurological condition in deer and elk caused by infectious prions. This disease disrupts the nervous system and can linger in soil and plants, potentially infecting other animals for years. Once introduced, CWD is notoriously challenging to eradicate, spreading through close animal contact or environmental contamination.

While CWD cannot currently be transmitted to humans, experts recommend avoiding the consumption of meat from infected animals due to its relation to other prion diseases, such as mad cow disease. Both Wyoming and Oregon encourage hunters to test game animals for CWD, especially in affected areas.

Oregon law permits hunters to import only certain big game parts to prevent CWD spread. Meat properly butchered and wrapped, hides fully cleaned of any tissue, and taxidermy mounts are permitted. However, heads or spinal tissue are not allowed unless they are thoroughly cleaned of brain or spinal material. Similar guidelines apply to Wyoming hunters bringing game from outside the state.