Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Wisconsin Wildlife
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was discovered in Wisconsin white-tailed deer harvested from Deer Management Unit 70A in fall 2001. Actions taken by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) include testing to determine the geographic distribution of CWD, depopulation of deer in the area known to be infected, reduction of deer populations in areas surrounding the infected area to prevent spread of CWD, banning baiting and feeding to reduce CWD transmission and conducting research to increase understanding of CWD. In 2002, CWD was also discovered in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. This second disease area is separate from the first disease area in south-central Wisconsin, and the proximity of infected animals indicates this outbreak spans the Wisconsin-Illinois boarder. The goals of this project are to provide technical information, scientific guidance, and related assistance to WDNR managers and policy makers, University researchers, and other cooperators and agencies managing CWD in Wisconsin; provide analytical evaluation of management activities to control CWD including assessment of surveillance programs, spatial and demographic analysis of disease patterns, temporal changes in disease prevalence, and monitoring of changes in response to management programs; and provide scientific guidance and technical advice on the development and implementation of disease monitoring and surveillance programs focused on disease control efforts.