Chronic Wasting Disease spreads to 38 Iowa counties in deer populations

More counties in Iowa are now reporting cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer. The illness, which is fatal to infected animals, has spread to 38 of the state's 99 counties. Officials continue to monitor its progress closely.

Iowa's first confirmed case of CWD appeared in northeast Iowa back in 2013. The state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had already begun testing for the disease before that initial detection. Since then, the number of affected areas has grown steadily.

CWD is a prion disease that targets cervids, including deer and elk. It moves slowly but can emerge without warning in new locations. The Iowa DNR tracks its spread and provides updates, including an interactive dashboard on their website at iowadnr.gov.

The focus remains on slowing the disease's expansion across the state. Wildlife agencies and researchers work together to gather data, though no recent figures detail its impact beyond Iowa's borders.

With 38 counties now reporting CWD, Iowa's efforts to control the disease remain ongoing. The DNR's resources offer the latest information for hunters, landowners, and the public. Early detection and monitoring stay key to managing the illness in deer populations.