Press Release

DWR Reports 2021–2022 Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Results for Disease Management Areas

Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) reports the results of chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance from within the Department’s three CWD Disease Management Areas (DMA) for the 2021–2022 deer hunting season.

For the 2021–2022 hunting season, DMA1 included Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah, and Warren counties.  As of February 28, 649 deer from DMA1 have been sampled for CWD.  Nineteen white-tailed deer originating from DMA1 were confirmed to be infected with CWD; 17 CWD-positive deer were reported from Frederick County and a single CWD-positive deer were reported from both Shenandoah and Clarke counties. No changes to the DMA1 boundaries are expected at this time for the 2022–2023 deer hunting season.

DMA2 is currently comprised of Culpeper, Fauquier, Loudoun, Madison, Page, Orange, and Rappahannock counties.  As of February 28, 1,930 deer from DMA2 have been sampled for CWD.  Four white-tailed deer from DMA2 were confirmed to be infected with CWD; two CWD-positive deer were reported in Fauquier County and single CWD-positive deer were reported from both Loudoun and Culpeper counties.  No changes to the DMA2 boundaries are anticipated at this time for the 2022–2023 deer hunting season.

For the 2021 – 2022 deer hunting season, DMA3 encompassed Floyd, Montgomery and Pulaski counties.  As of February 28, 1,259 deer have been sampled for CWD.  Two hunter-harvested deer originating from DMA3 were confirmed to be infected with CWD.  One CWD-positive deer was harvested in Montgomery County and the second CWD-positive deer was harvested in Floyd County.  This is the first CWD detection in Floyd County.  A third deer, sampled by a cooperator located in DMA3, was determined to be infected with CWD but the location of harvest for this animal was not able to be confirmed.

As a result of the new CWD detection in Floyd County, Carroll County will be added to DMA3 effective immediately.  This new detection, which was approximately 5 miles from the 2020 Montgomery County detection, was less than 10 miles from Carroll County.  In accordance with the DWR’s CWD Management Plan, regulatory actions which go into effect immediately in Carroll County include the following:

Prohibition on white-tailed deer fawn rehabilitation.

Restricted carcass transport.

Whole deer carcasses and any parts containing brain and/or spinal cord tissues originating from Carroll County may only be transported to locations within Carroll, Floyd, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties (please see dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/diseases/cwd/dma3 for additional information on deer carcass transport restrictions).

The Department sincerely appreciates the assistance of deer hunters in these areas for their willingness to allow their deer to be tested for CWD.  Additionally, DWR is grateful for the help of road-kill pickup contractors, commercial deer processors and taxidermists from these 14 counties who also assisted with our CWD surveillance efforts this fall.

In addition to sampling in the Disease Management Areas, DWR partnered with dozens of taxidermists to enhance CWD surveillance throughout the remainder of Virginia.  This partnership proved effective in acquiring nearly 2,000 samples from across the state.  The results of this effort are currently pending and will be released once received from the laboratory.

CWD has been detected in twenty-nine states and four Canadian provinces.  In Virginia, a total of 134 deer from eleven counties have tested positive since 2009.  This incurable disease, found in deer, elk, and moose in North America, is a slow and progressive neurologic disease that ultimately results in death of the animal. The disease-causing agent is spread through the urine, feces, and saliva of infected animals.

Noticeable symptoms, though they may not appear in animals for several months to over a year, include staggering, abnormal posture, lowered head, drooling, confusion, and marked weight loss. There is no evidence that CWD can be transmitted naturally to humans, pets, or livestock (with the possible exception of pigs), but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise hunters to test all deer harvested from known CWD-positive areas and to not consume any animals that test positive for the disease.

Additional surveillance data, descriptions of regulations pertaining to CWD, maps of DMAs, and more information about CWD can be found on the DWR website at: dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/disease/cwd.