First Fatal Deer Disease Cases Found at Catoctin Mountain Park

First Cases of Chronic Wasting Disease Confirmed at Catoctin Mountain Park

For the first time in its history, Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland has confirmed the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in its white-tailed deer population. The National Park Service (NPS) identified the disease after two deer tested positive during recent deer reduction operations and subsequent disease sampling. While the discovery is a significant milestone for the park’s wildlife management, officials are taking immediate steps to mitigate risks and monitor the health of the local cervid population.

What is Chronic Wasting Disease?

Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal neurological disease that affects members of the cervid family, including deer, elk, and moose. The disease attacks the brain and spinal cord, leading to a progressive decline in the animal’s health. Due to the fact that it is fatal and can spread among wildlife populations, the NPS and other wildlife agencies track its movement closely to protect ecosystem stability.

The Discovery at Catoctin Mountain Park

The positive results were found during the park’s ongoing deer reduction operations. These operations are essential for maintaining the ecological balance of the park, as they protect native plant communities, support healthy and diverse forests, and preserve historic landscapes.

As part of these efforts, the NPS typically donates venison from the reduction operations to local food banks, following state and federal public health guidelines. Though, any meat that tests positive for CWD is destroyed rather than donated. In this instance, the venison from both positive-testing animals was destroyed.

A Growing Regional Trend

The detection at Catoctin Mountain Park is part of a broader trend across national parks in the Mid-Atlantic region. Until 2024, all CWD monitoring results across national parks in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia had been negative. That changed recently as several nearby parks reported their first cases:

• 2024: Antietam National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park all received their first CWD-positive results.
• 2026: Gettysburg National Military Park confirmed its first case.

Public Health and Human Safety

One of the primary concerns following a CWD detection is the risk to humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is currently no evidence that Chronic Wasting Disease can infect humans.

Despite the lack of evidence regarding human transmission, the CDC strongly recommends against consuming meat from any animal that has tested positive for CWD. To ensure public safety, the NPS continues to strictly monitor all venison harvested during reduction operations.

Guidelines for Park Visitors

Park officials are urging visitors to remain vigilant and follow specific safety precautions to avoid potential exposure to sick wildlife:

• Avoid Contact: Do not touch or approach sick or dead wildlife.
• Report Sightings: Notify park staff immediately if you encounter an animal that appears ill or deceased.
• Leash Pets: Keep pets on leashes and away from wildlife, particularly in restricted areas.
• Maintain Distance: Always keep a safe distance from all wildlife.
• Consumption Warning: Do not consume any part of an animal suspected of having CWD.

Key Takeaways

The National Park Service remains committed to its monitoring program to track the spread of the disease and protect the natural integrity of Catoctin Mountain Park. Visitors are encouraged to stay informed and report any unusual wildlife behavior to park authorities.