Two white-tailed deer have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease at Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland, marking the first confirmed CWD detection in the park’s history.
The positive tests came during recent deer reduction operations and subsequent disease sampling conducted by the National Park Service. The venison from both animals was destroyed.
In 2024, three nearby national parks received their first CWD-positive results: Antietam and Monocacy National Battlefields and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Gettysburg National Military Park followed in 2026. Prior to 2024, all CWD monitoring results across Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia national parks had come back negative.
CWD is a fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk, and other members of the cervid family. There is currently no evidence that the disease can infect humans, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends against consuming meat from CWD-positive animals.
Catoctin Mountain Park conducts deer reduction operations to protect native plant communities, support healthy and diverse forests, and preserve historic landscapes. All parks in the area conducting these operations participate in CWD monitoring programs.
The NPS donates venison from deer reduction operations to local food banks whenever possible, in accordance with state and federal public health guidelines. Meat testing positive for CWD is destroyed rather than donated.
Park officials are urging visitors to take the following precautions:
- Avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and report sightings to park staff
- Keep pets leashed and away from sick or dead animals
- Maintain a safe distance from all wildlife
- Do not consume any part of an animal suspected of having CWD
The NPS says it will continue its monitoring program and destroy any future venison that tests positive.
